No Limits - Malaysia’s First Pop Musical!

I missed this week’s Photo Hunt (boo!) mainly because I did not have the time to take any pictures with this theme. Blame also the fact I was stuck at home watching over contractors like a hawk (didn’t help - they have to return one more day… sigh)

That said, Friday night saw me at KLCCC Plenary Hall catching a free preview performance of Malaysia’s first ever Pop MusicalPop Sci-fi Musical - No Limits.

I actually met Beetrice there which was a surprise to both her and me. Pleasant of course! Unfortunately it is a short run 11-13 July only but if you are at a loose end tonight, why not pop by and watch it? Its pretty good and fun which is important to me.

I had obtained free tickets from Honda (the main sponsor) and did not know what to expect at all. Seriously, I went there and asked Bee “So, what’s it about?!” whereupon she proceeded to give me a run-down of the plot… which turned out to be a pretty good summary of the programme book LOL…

Basically, it is set in the year 2035 where an electromagnetic pulse has wiped out the memory of everyone in the world, except for one - Moon. Moon then creates a machine that restores memory of the past based on the bits and pieces of evidence she and her helpers have obtained. Memories and the past, being what they are, are not only of joy but also of pain and therein lies the conundrum. Does one return bad memories of the past or can you create a new happier memory. Kingsley, her right hand man prefers to do the latter and there proceeds to be a struggle for power.

The cast was exceptional - KK Wong, Joanna Bessey, Mary George, Gloria Ting, Malik Taufiq, Bella Rahim, Kuah Jenhan and Eason Tang. It also features Malaysia’s All-Women A Cappella Group, LiT Performers comprising Karen Tay, Kat Chung, Angie Teoh, Anrie Too, Priscilla Wong and Colleen Daphne Chung, as well as the prestigious Kwang Tung Dance Troupe with dance choreography by Tin Tan. Music too was great fun.

It is a “pop musical” because the show cleverly uses music from pop songs spanning the 80s and 90s. Super fun! No Limits of course is the techno dance track from 2 Unlimited. Remember them? It certainly got my feet tapping!

As a musical, it was fun but as a storyline, I personally felt it was a bit of a failure. The story was strong and tight up until intermission. After intermission, things sort of deteriorated into a bit of a farce, and the plot was totally lost. At the end of the show, I had no idea what it was supposed to be or mean. There is also too much cantonese used throughout the play, courtesy of KK Wong. Funny, if you understand, bewildering if you don’t. And, I have no idea how Gloria Ting’s character, Apple, was supposed to contribute to the plot. That whole segment was totally lost on me, sad to say.

However, as I was watching No Limits, I felt a sense of deja vu at times and then I realised what it was. There were strong parallels between No Limits and We Will Rock You! No, don’t roll your eyes, there ARE parallels.

No Limits is set in the year 2035 and everyone’s memory is wiped out.
We Will Rock You is set 300 years in the future with no memory of rock music.

No Limits uses pop/pop-rock songs for its music.
We Will Rock You uses rock songs (by Queen) for its music.

No Limits opens up with classic Star Wars style scrolling text on the backdrop.
We Will Rock You opens up with classic Star Wars style scrolling text on the backdrop.

No Limits has a rebel in Kingsley who believes in giving people the memories they want.
We Will Rock You has a rebel in Galileo who believes that rock music still exists.

No Limits performs Its a Kind of Magic.
We Will Rock You performs Its a Kind of Magic.

See! Parallels!!

Tonight’s the last night so go watch it for the fun music and slick dance moves if nothing else. There was a dancer who really caught my eye - he’s dressed in black and does solos. I could not take my eyes off him the whole time he was dancing because he was so slick and smooth in his moves and he really looked like he was enjoying himself! I love seeing that in performers - that passion and joy in performing. I don’t know his name of course, but when you see him perform, you’ll know what I mean.

No Limits is on at 8.30pm at KLCC Convention Centre - Plenary Hall. Tengok, jangan tak tengok!

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