SRT's very own Rapunzel
Cheryl Tan is no stranger to the spotlight. Starting out in musical theatre at the tender young age of 15, she’s taken on lead roles in children’s plays such as Red Riding Hood, Kleting Kuning and the Giant Crab, and now Rapunzel.
We sat down with the vivacious jazz singer slash actress to chat about her role as Rapunzel, what she would do if she had reeeaally long hair, and her real-life Prince Charming (wink).
It must be such a thrill to be Rapunzel! How is your interpretation of Rapunzel different from the character in the classic tale?
Traditionally, I think Rapunzel is defined by her beauty, but in our version, Rapunzel is very curious and independent. She loves maps, wants to explore the world, and takes her fate into her own hands! It’s a big thrill, particularly as Rapunzel is the favourite “princess” of my young nieces. I couldn’t be happier to be working with this company again, as well as the great crew, cast and creative team.
If you woke up one day and had very, very long hair like Rapunzel, what would you do?
I would take some pictures and then cut it off and give it to charity – probably to the wigmakers for cancer patients. I might ask around, to see if anyone fancied climbing up it for fun, like a rope.
Tell us more about Rapunzel’s relationship with Esme the Witch: how does it progress, and what are the lessons you think Rapunzel has taught her?
What a great question. Well, this is a show aimed towards 3-6 year olds, so I think that the main lesson Rapunzel might teach the witch is that just because someone stole your vegetables, it doesn’t mean you should go crazy and lock their daughter up in a tower! The original tale has all these implications about parenthood and betrayal, but we aren’t focusing so much on that.
What is one memorable character you’ve enjoyed playing onstage/onscreen?
Actually, I once played the Witch in Into The Woods (Rapunzel’s mother in that version of the story). It’s my favorite musical, so that was really fulfilling. My most recent favourite role was Little Red in SRT’s Red Riding Hood.
Singing vs. acting: if you could only pick one, which would it be?
That is so difficult to answer. It’s hard for me to see them as separate because you’re always acting when you perform, even when you’re just singing. If I only acted, I would always be living in stories, which is what I care about most. But I really believe that the voice is the seat of emotion and it would break my heart to give that up.
Do you believe in happy endings?
Yes, I think so, although many tales end with a romantic relationship and it can be dangerous to think that is what a “happy ending” means. I believe that you have to work very hard to make sure you get your own happy ending, by learning to be compassionate and loving, and doing what you care about without hurting anyone.
If Rapunzel lived in today’s world, what do you think her occupation would be?
Hmm. She would be somehow stuck in a tower very far away with no neighbors and no Internet – sort of like a prison – but with really long hair and a good singing voice. Perhaps she would be an aerialist/singer, but sadly, with no audience.
Have you found your Prince Charming? Tell us more!
Well, I’m currently in a stable long-term relationship with a photographer. I’m very happy. We have a balanced connection based on enriching each other’s lives and we’re teaching each other to be good communicators. We just passed our anniversary on March 10 and we hope there will be many more.
Awww, that’s really sweet! Now, share with us about a friendship you hold dear and why.
I disliked a girl at school and she felt the same about me. After leaving that version of the world, we found that the things that had caused the hate were meaningless. It’s been about 7 years since, and we’re really on the same page now about how we choose to explore the world and build our value systems. We lead rather different lives, but I think we taught each other to appreciate differences, I’m very glad we found each other again.
What do you hope audiences will take away from watching Rapunzel?
I hope that parents will have a good time watching quality theatre with their kids. And I hope that the kids might come away thinking that friendships, curiosity and books are really important, like I do!
Let your hair down and enjoy the Singapore Repertory Theatre’s The Little Company’s Rapunzel with your family – opens Friday Mar 14, 2014 show runs until Sun Apr 27, 2014.