Shanghai Mimi 2019, Sophie Koh-lead singer. Sydney Lunar Chinese New Year 2019 1- , Riverside Theatre, Parramatta, Sydney, 10-20 Jan 19
Gathered video clips & pics from audience & Sydney Festival, they are put together into a Shanghai Mimi video.
Lead singer - Sophie Koh. https://www.facebook.com/sophiekohmusic/
Qinghai Acrobatic Troupe
SHANGHAI MIMI. LUSH PRODUCTION AT RIVERSIDE PARRAMATTA FOR THE SYDNEY FESTIVAL
JANUARY 14, 2019 JUDITH GREENAWAY
(Edited)
Sure to be one of the big hits of the Sydney Festival, SHANGHAI MIMI is a lush, well- conceptualised production. It has terrific attention to detail in the creation of the space and artists of considerable skill and charisma. The cast introduces themselves at one stage and they are certainly from all over.
The music of this production is its backbone, the impetus being some long forgotten Chinese pressings of a music style called shidaiqu which blends the traditional with jazz. Placing the show in Shanghai in the 1930s, Director Moira Finucane and Creative Producer Douglas Hunter have extended beyond the songs to flamboyantly include cabaret and acrobatics and some circus. The Qinghai Acrobatic Troupe and the ensemble join singer Sophie Koh to provide some attractive dancing, some deft circus and emotive singing, predominantly in Mandarin but also in English. A small band of distinction flavours the show with live Chinese jazz showcasing trumpet and clarinet solos in true jazz style.
Beautifully decorated, the theatre has an extravagantly period feel at first entry with large glowing paper lanterns in red and gold, a stage thrust into the audience and a soundscape of busy period traffic and antique car horns. It’s an evocative beginning and the cacophony increases to herald the production with a flourish. After the audio mix settled, it was smooth jazz from Kok to introduce the enticingly mellow style of production.
There are acts which are fast and furious, like the synchronised green diabolo hurled into the air, but many are luxurious and sensual. The skill is appreciable in all the balances, hoop twirling, plate spinning, jar juggling and strength turns on show.
The cabaret feel is emphasised by how much singing there is, delightful as it may be. Having live musicians on stage is so enjoyable and Musical Director John McAll has orchestrated the music so that it unobtrusively remains in concert
Sophie Koh at NSW Arts Gallery, Sydney Lunar CNY 2019
https://thao.funnymoment.net/video/x71ynu6
Sydney Lunar Chinese New year 2019-2015 Playlist
https://thao.funnymoment.net/video/x71bso0?playlist=x4bip5
Other mostly Sydney Festivals videos
https://thao.funnymoment.net/user/HankSydney1
