Secondary: The Musical
School isn’t easy for anyone, whether you’re a student or a teacher. And with exams coming, nobody’s life will be the same.
Pushed and pulled in different directions, Lilin is a young teacher trying to make it through yet another term while helping her students. Battle-worn Secondary 3s Ming, Omar, and Reyansh are trying to handle the challenges in school and at home with bravery and grace. But in a system that values specific kinds of success, can their efforts be recognised?
Hilarious and deeply moving, this landmark work by Checkpoint Theatre is an unforgettable dive into life in a Singapore school, with all its delicate joys, complicated heartbreak, and unexpected beauty.
Playwright-composer weish is hailed as “one of the city-state’s most acclaimed musicians” (UK’s New Musical Express), creating soundscapes that are “hauntingly emotive and superbly alluring” (Bandwagon). With this astonishing new work, she forges a contemporary landscape of storytelling unlike any other musical.
Under the direction of the acclaimed Huzir Sulaiman, Secondary: The Musical features a stellar ensemble cast of Adeeb Fazah, Audrey Luo, Ethel Yap, Genevieve Tan, Joshua Lim, Krish Natarajan, Nadya Zaheer, Rebekah Sangeetha Dorai, Shahid Nasheer, Teoh Jun Vinh, Tiara Yap and Tricia Tan.
With a powerful, affecting script, and incredible new songs, Secondary: The Musical questions what happens when life is dictated by a final grade.
Prepare for your visit and what to expect: Visual Story for Secondary: The Musical
Read audience feedback and media reviews here!
Creative Team
- Playwright-Composer
weish
- Director
Huzir Sulaiman
- Dramaturg
Huzir Sulaiman
- Cast
Adeeb Fazah
Audrey Luo
Ethel Yap
Genevieve Tan
Joshua Lim
Krish Natarajan
Nadya Zaheer
Rebekah Sangeetha Dorai
Shahid Nasheer
Teoh Jun Vinh
Tiara Yap
Tricia Tan- Choreographer
Hafeez Hassan
- Set & Lighting Designer
Petrina Dawn Tan
- Lighting Co-Designer
Tai Zi Feng
- Sound Designer & Sound Engineer
Shah Tahir
- Costume Designer
Max Tan
- Music Producers & Arrangers
Ian Lee
Daniel Alex Chia- Recording & Studio Engineer
Ian Lee
- Assistant Recording Engineer
Jeriel Lim
- Vocal Coach
emmaline
- Assistant Directors
Marc Gabriel Loh
Vishnucharan Naidu- Hair Artist
Ashley Lim
- Make-up Designer
Bobbie Ng
- Creative Access Artist & Advisor
Grace Lee-Khoo
- Producers
Claire Wong
Huzir Sulaiman- Production Manager
Cindy Yeong
- Technical Manager
David Li
- Stage Manager
Saffa' Afiqah
- Assistant Stage Manager
Nur Amirah (Mir)
Nur Syafinaz- Wardrobe Manager
Lim Zhiying
- Dresser
Nurynne Aliesya
Izz Sumono
Reviews
- Press
SECONDARY: THE MUSICAL WOWS WITH STUNNING CAST, SCRIPT AND MUSIC
An effortless script captures the casual nature of how students talk without sounding cringey.
Matched with a solid cast… the play is highly engaging and memorable.
Students are likely to feel seen as the play depicts the stresses and challenges of studying for exams while dealing with personal problems. Some educators may relate to how Lilin struggles to find a balance between work and her personal life, but it is parents who should experience the show to understand perspectives different from their own.
Having brought her six years of experience as a literature teacher into her writing, weish weaves together the stories of teachers and students in a manner that feels natural, … it is with a standing ovation that the musical ends, fitting for a show that packs a massive amount into two hours and 45 minutes. Between the immensely talented cast and powerful story, Secondary: The Musical is one to catch.
Charmaine Lim, The Straits Times
The musical is a delightful blend of humour and heart. There are laugh-out-loud moments that perfectly capture the awkwardness and anxieties of being a teenager. But beneath the comedic surface lies a touching portrayal of the unseen challenges faced by both students and teachers.
Secondary: The Musical is a must-watch for anyone who’s ever walked the hallowed halls of a Singaporean secondary school.
Marcus Khoo, Honeycombers
... a truly Singaporean piece of musical theatre that holds on to its uniquely Singaporean groundedness and identity.
Dia Hakim, Critics Circle Blog