The musical comedy Beauty World is a special production for the Singapore Festival of Arts 1988. Set to an original score of ten songs by well-known songwriter Dick Lee with scripting by local playwright Michael Chiang, the musical evokes the world of Chinese nightclubs and cabarets in the mid-60s.
The action centres on a young Malaysian orphan who discovers a jade pendant with the words "Beauty World", inscribed on its reverse side. It leads her to believe that her father may not be dead, and thus she begins her long and difficult search for her long-lost father. Along the way, she meets up with her dotty pen-friend, crosses the path of a vindictive cabaret singer, and learns some heartbreaking truths about love and life. An affectionate tribute to the Chinese soap operas that the playwright grew up with, this musical comedy will be interesting and endearing, especially to those who grew up watching Chinese soap operas in the 60s.