By Sharuni Weerasinghe 

This August, get ready for a musical experience like no other as Encore – The 80s, 90s and More takes centre stage at the Lionel Wendt Theatre. Presented by Fairway Holdings and brought to life by the Revelations Mixed Voice Choir under the direction of Sanjeev Jayaratnam, this performance promises to be a nostalgic yet fresh take on some of the most iconic music from decades past. With brand-new arrangements, high-energy performances, and unexpected twists, the show is set to delight audiences across generations.

We caught up with Sanjeev Jayaratnam for an exclusive Q&A to find out more about what makes Encore truly unmissable.

1. “Encore” promises the 80s, 90s and more, like we’ve never heard before. Can you give us a sneak peek into what makes this show so unique?
This show will have some of your favourite songs from the 80s and 90s, including hits like Eye of the Tiger and Don’t Stop Believing, and also songs like Fragile by Sting. It's a string of hits from start to finish, most of which you will want to sing along to.

Something that makes this show unique is its diverse selection of music and original arrangements being performed for the first time ever. Although it’s a choral show, it’s a choral show with a difference - a live band, dancing, and pure entertainment. I will also be joining the choir and singing some of my favourite music as well. So it’s a show you definitely want to be a part of!

2. What inspired you to curate a show around the music of the 80s and 90s? Why do you think those decades still resonate so strongly today?
The theme of this show was actually chosen by the choir. I guess that shows just how much the songs from those decades still resonate with people even now. These songs in particular have so much depth, the words having a lot of meaning together with beautiful melodies, and I think that is one reason why they are still so loved, even decades later.

3. What makes working with a mixed voice choir like Revelations so powerful when performing nostalgic pop music?
Working with the Revelations Mixed Voice Choir, we’ve been able to put our own twist on the nostalgic hits that we all love so much. Many of the songs that we have chosen for this show were originally performed by solo artists or small groups, which has made the process of working on these same songs with choral arrangements really interesting.

We’ve been able to bring a fresh sound to these songs, while still holding the essence of what makes them so special.

4. What can audiences expect in terms of musical genres and arrangements? Are there any surprising mashups or reinterpretations?
I wouldn’t want to take away from the surprise of the show, but I can say that the audience is in for a wild ride, with songs from multiple genres, including pop, rock, and even some gospel. One special aspect of this show is that the arrangements of the majority of songs we’ll be doing have been specially arranged by either me or Manique Abeyratne, the assistant choral director.

It’s been really special seeing these brand-new arrangements come to life, and we are excited to bring these to the audience. So, essentially, it’s the world premiere for many of the arrangements you will hear on the 9th and 10th. This makes it very special.

5. Tell us about the rehearsal process - how long have you been preparing, and what has been the most exciting or challenging part?
We have actually been preparing for this show for quite some time now, as we decided to try a different approach with our practice sessions, limiting it to just our usual Sunday practice for as long as possible.

It’s been challenging in a way, working on this show for months on end, but it has been really exciting seeing it come together and knowing that we have a super show on our hands.

6. Can you share a moment during the creative or rehearsal process that made you think—“this is going to be something special”?
I think this would be when we heard our arrangements come alive. Nothing beats that for a goosebump moment.

7. Are there any standout songs or moments in the show that are especially meaningful to you or the choir?
I think that all of the songs stand out in their own way, so I can’t really pick one or two.

8. How have audiences responded to past performances by Revelations and Sanjeev Jayaratnam, and how does “Encore” aim to raise the bar?
Those who have seen our shows have enjoyed them in the past, with the last show by the choir in December 2023, then under the name Sangeet, receiving two impromptu standing ovations on both nights of the show. I think this goes to show how audiences have responded to our performances, and we are determined to keep on getting better.

Encore aims to raise the bar by delivering these amazing songs in ways audiences have never heard them before! And of course, audiences have always had a load of fun at any of the shows I have directed in the past- from The Revelations, Methodist College or any others. So here too, I am sure the audience is going to have a great time.

9. For someone who’s never attended one of your shows, why should they come to this one? What makes it a must-see?
It’s a choral show, but with entertainment as the main focus. It has awesome singing, some great moves (choreographed by Julian Anderson), a brilliant band, and pure energy.

We promise a performance that not just aims to leave you enjoying good singing, but really takes you on a journey with us through the beautiful melodies and meanings of the different songs and themes that we have put together. We want to leave you with a message that you can take back with you.

And it really doesn’t matter whether you’re still going to school, working, retired, or anywhere in between, we guarantee that we will have something for everyone, so you really don’t want to miss it!

10. Finally, any teasers for what’s next after “Encore”? Is this part of a larger musical journey for the choir and team?
It’s been great working towards this show with the choir, and we’d like to keep this journey going. But no concrete plans have been made yet, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

However, we are always on the lookout for like-minded people to join us, so do reach out if you would like to be a part of this awesome experience.