The story unfolds with the Vietnamese boat people, escaping from Vietnam as political refugees, and making a dangerous journey across the high seas, arriving finally at Pulau Bidong on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

It tells the story of their hopes and fears and their desire to seek a better future for themselves. This is in contrast to scenes of Malaysians and others who are also searching and realising that there is hope and meaning even in the turmoil of living.

The musical, by acclaimed director and playwright Chin San Sooi, was first staged in 1986 and is Malaysia's first full-length, locally-written musical in English.

This staging will be presented by The Canticle Singers, featuring HK Chong (Producer & Music Director), Chin San Sooi (Artistic Director, book & lyrics) with orchestration by Isaac Chia in collaboration with Anson Ong.

The original music has been contemporised and scored for a full chorus and a stronger orchestration. The music of Refugee: Images is said to be an eclectic blend of captivating and tuneful numbers - rhythmic, emotional, energetic, contemplative, stirring and rousing; with general appeal as well a couple of atonal passages to keep the chorus challenged.

The musical is apolitical and is a tribute to Malaysia, for her compassion shown during the saga of the boat people.

From:

New Sunday Times
"......a dramatic musical, depicting each man as "a refugee to his soul" searching for a meaning in life.."
"...The music was emotional and complemented the message very well.."

Asiaweek
".. the boat people "were a metaphor of man".... .the musical is essentially about life and death.."
"The music was good."