A Night to Remember

Victorians waited with bated breath as the lights dimmed, spotlights trained on the dark red curtains of the newly-renovated performance theatre. The cacophony of chatter which filled the hall moments prior was replaced- for a moment- with a deafening silence. As the curtains parted, the audience broke into rapturous applause; the first act was about to begin. Following a 2-year hiatus, VJC’s eagerly awaited annual concert series had finally returned!

The relaxation of Safe Management Measures (SMMs) has marked a pivotal step forward in our return to normalcy. Capitalising on this are VJ’s many Performing Arts CCAs. With their time in the limelight finally approaching, they worked tirelessly to curate performances which would showcase the full extent of their abilities. Spread across several weeks, this year’s concert serieswas a chance for all of our performers to bask in the spotlight and entrance the school with their talent.

Faced with harsh criticism entrenched in gender stereotypes, Jayalalithaawas persevered relentlessly - staying true to her vision for a better India - and ultimately succeeded in her goal of becoming Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Drama’s act was not only visually appealing and highly captivating, but also carried a pertinent message for us students. No matter how difficult things may seem or how much we struggle with our commitments, perseverance is an essential value to uphold.

The audience went wild with excitement whenever Vikram attempted to charm his way into the twins’ hearts, and the variety of dances spread throughout the act had audience members on the edge of their seats with upbeat Indian music and energetic moves. As the story progressed, it became clear that Vikram was not the virtuous individual he pretended to be. Having played with the hearts of numerous girls, he was revealed to have been in a relationship the whole time- a revelation punctuated by several resounding slaps across his face. The audience, of course, was ecstatic.

Ending their performance with the salient advice to “Hold pen, don’t hold hand,” while in VJC, ICS certainly got their point across. Their depiction of VJC as a place filled with excitement and romance allowed them to touch the hearts of students throughout the theatre. Sure, life may not be as dramatic as portrayed, but there are definitely elements of truth buried within. Their advice should also be considered carefully, as relationships are not inherently deleterious, but one must take into account a wide range of factors before making such a commitment.

With nearly half the runtime left, the onus was on VJ Dance to engage the audience for the remaining 45 minutes and cement the event as something truly memorable. Moreover, as the largest Performing Arts group present by far, the bar was set high - especially as they were the last to perform. Needless to say, they delivered. With a premise similar to Night in the Museum, where museum exhibits spring to life past opening hours, the audience was introduced to three main characters. Having broken in while the museum was closed, they find themselves surrounded by living exhibits eager to dance in myriad distinct styles. 

To begin with, the audience was treated to the sight of an army-themed exhibit coming alive. Clad in white shirts and camo pants, their choreography and synchronicity closely mimicked that of trained soldiers fighting. Set to the tune of blaring hip-hop music, their forceful, highly energetic movements blew the audience away with their intensity. 

Next was an elaborate piece set in Egypt, with performers donning Ancient-Egypt inspired costumes which emulated the style of long-gone pharaohs. Making patterns with their movements, the dancers were meticulously synchronised, the reflections off the gold in their costumes almost hypnotic in nature. Ending with a human-pyramid-esque shape, this act brought yet another element to Dance’s highly varied performance.

The penultimate act was foreshadowed near the very start- a samurai-themed performance set in Japan. A breakdance inspired piece, the performers ran about the stage in a frenzy, flipping over one another and spinning in place in a display of athleticism and agility. An incredibly dynamic performance to hype up the audience before the finale.

As the clock inched closer towards 6:30 and the museum closer to opening hours, the time had come to say goodbye. The final act was to the tune of a song from High School Musical - a medley of the prior performances. Donning costumes from a variety of acts, the performers put together one final display of their skill, eliciting uproar from the audience. As their piece ended, the entirety of Drama, ICS, and Dance gathered onstage to take a bow. And as the curtains closed on the first installment in VJ’s 2022 concert series, the audience was reaffirmed that it truly was a night to remember.