La Cage actors relate some rehearsal experiences
By Luqman Haqim; photos by Mysara Aljaru
Tony Award winning Broadway musical ‘La Cage aux Folles’ will soon strike Singapore, revived by W!LD RICE, Singapore’s leading professional theatre company. Campus Magazine had the opportunity to speak with cast members, Aaron Khaled (Jonathan) and Seong Hui Xuan (Anne) about their experiences at rehearsals.
At the interview, Aaron admitted that he was briefly unnerved to be around some of Singapore’s finest actors, but focusing on his role eventually took precedence to everything else.
On the other hand, not knowing what to expect kept Hui Xuan excited. Adding to the thrill of it all, she enjoyed the challenge of being casted as Anne, Jonathan’s fiancée, a type of role she hadn’t played before.
Describing Anne as ‘someone living in her parents’ shadow but slowly taking control of her life’, Hui Xuan is glad to be in front, playing a more prominent part in the show.
When asked about the show’s highlights, Aaron pointed out that every scene conveys meaning. According to him, the most important scene is the one portraying Anne coming to terms with her existence. Hui Xuan loves the energetic dancers, and having Aaron as a partner.
Though rehearsals take up most of their time, Aaron and Hui Xuan are both passionate about their work and couldn’t imagine doing anything else for a living. Even so, both actors did manage to brainstorm a few intriguing alternative career paths they might consider chasing down in another life…
“If I wasn’t an actor, I’d probably be homeless,” joked Aaron.
“I really don’t know! I’d probably work at Starbucks or something,” Hui Xuan chirped in lightheartedly, a grin on her face.
To see both Aaron and Hui Xuan live, attend La Cage aux Folles, airing between 20th July and 4th August 2012, at Esplanade theatre.
