Perhaps the French do know best how to express love in all its forms, as exemplified in Sing’theatre’s revival of this musical revue.

Sing’theatre’s A French Kiss in Singapore is part concert, part theatrical homage, and part living museum exhibit—an artful celebration of four titans of French chanson: Charles Aznavour, Charles Trenet, Serge Gainsbourg, and Jacques Brel. Originally staged in 2013, this new 2025 revival takes on new direction by Hossan Leong, and transports us to the imagined walls of an art museum, where we learn about these four famous French composers.

The show opens with a clever touch: the main quartet—Amin Alifin, Andrew Marko, Dwayne Lau, and Rino Junior John—perched as statues, springing to life to guide us through a century of French musical brilliance. The revue is educational without feeling heavy-handed, as the performers breathe life not only into the songs but also the stories behind them. Director Hossan has a clear vision for this work: each segment, divided across each of the four featured artists, delves into their lives and legacies, from their humble origins to their worldwide impact—an enriching experience for both fans and newcomers alike, performing their greatest hits and underrated gems. With plenty of group numbers and solo parts that let every cast member shine, Hossan is all about platforming and raising the profile of his cast members, and both moving and entertaining the audience every night.

The journey begins on a sombre yet powerful note with Charles Aznavour. Known as “France’s Frank Sinatra,” Aznavour’s repertoire is deep, melancholic, and emotionally raw. Songs like La Bohème, Pretty Shitty Days, and Hier Encore set a reflective tone. Dwayne Lau’s standout performance of Mama was a particular highlight—his voice thick with emotion, as he seemed to draw on personal loss to deliver a moving and deeply human moment. That is not to say there aren’t also lighter moments, with I drink seeing the cast enter the crowd and swinging champagne bottles about, drunk on energy, while the mood lifts considerably when Hossan Leong makes his grand entrance sweeping out onstage to perform La Boheme. Ending the set with the high energy La Baraka was also a highlight, bringing a more tropical influence to the stage, as Rino led the cast, flirty and energetic as they moved up and down the set, with impressive group choreography.

The cast then swept us into the whimsical, sunshine-infused world of Charles Trenet, opening with Amin performing his most famous tune La Mer. Other iconic tunes like Ménilmontant bring a welcome change of pace, where the cast leans into the cheerful absurdity of Trenet’s lyrics. Boum! especially bursts with infectious energy and charm. The latter especially was brought up by Rino, who stood out for his crisp vocals and tap routines, showing maturity and presence, while Amin charmed with his charisma and fluid movement, showcasing natural magnetism with his charm.

Then comes Serge Gainsbourg’s provocative set—easily the most visually daring and creatively staged of the night. Director Hossan Leong leans into the sensual, irreverent nature of Gainsbourg’s music with aplomb, and showcases the most variety and creative approaches here, where almost every song sees the cast take on completely different personas and styles that provide a roller coaster of entertainment. Je t’aime… moi non plus is cheekily presented with the cast as faces seen moaning picture frames, and Wax Doll, made famous for its 1965 Eurovision win, turns into a delightful multilingual romp through cultural stereotypes, hilariously performed in French, English, German, Japanese, and Vietnamese. Sea, Sex and Sun throws inhibition to the wind, complete with swimsuits and beach balls flying into the audience. The set closes with Hossan himself donning drag in Les Sucettes, delightfully camp and coquettish as he teaches the audience some not-so-innocent French vocabulary.

The final section on Jacques Brel returns us to more emotional territory. Starting with Seasons in the Sun—more bittersweet than most might expect—the segment showcases Brel’s flair for lyrical storytelling and emotional complexity. Andrew Marko’s solo performance of Amsterdam is another highlight, as he throws himself into the song with raw energy and emotional commitment, showing his growth and versatility as a performer. But of all the songs, it is If You Go Away (Ne Me Quitte Pas) that delivers the most touching moment of the night: a duet between Hossan Leong and the late Emma Yong, whose recorded voice is spotlighted in a haunting tribute. It’s staged with sensitivity and love, a heartfelt reminder of Yong’s legacy and her friendship with Hossan.

That’s not to say the show didn’t have a few rough edges. Some of the French pronunciation was patchy, and the particularly demanding parts occasionally left the cast visibly winded. A few mic hiccups also broke the flow, though the performers handled them with admirable professionalism. It is a challenging show for sure, but the cast certainly showed that they were willing to take on that challenge, infusing each song with energy, and letting their individual personalities shine through even while showcasing good onstage chemistry with each other. The band, under Elaine Chan’s deft musical direction, also deserves special mention—navigating the varied genres with skill and flair, they were the show’s heartbeat and ensured everyone was kept in step. Choreographer Lisa Keegan stretches the cast, ensuring that we see them in new capacities while also playing to their strengths; it is a joy to see how the main four interact onstage with each other and give their all to even the more complex numbers.

The revue closes on a high with If We Only Have Love and Love Is New Everyday—a feel-good, unifying finale that reminds us of music’s power to transcend language and time. There’s an undeniable sense of joy among the cast, who play off each other like cheeky schoolboys with a shared love for the material. It’s that sense of fun—blended with heartfelt respect for the music—that gives A French Kiss in Singapore its unique charm, and leaves us convinced that no one knows love like the French, making for a hearty, uplifting night at the theatre.

Photo Credit: Yu Khing

A French Kiss in Singapore plays from 17th to 27th April 2025 at the SOTA Drama Theatre. Tickets available from SISTIC

Production Credits:

Originally created by George Chan Director Hossan Leong Performers Amin Alifin, Andrew Marko, Dwayne Lau, Hossan Leong, Rino Junior John, Gino Babagay (Understudy) Choreographer Lisa Keegan Set Designer Petrina Tan Costume Designer Max Tan Sound Designer Shah Tahir Lighting Designer Reuben Ong Musical Director Elaine Chan Band Brandon Wong, Elaine Chan, Daniel Chai, Lee Lin Chow Producer Nathalie Ribette

---