AS early as June 17, it was announced that West End sensation and Broadway star Lea Salonga was to return to Singapore's Marina Sands for the staging of 'Sweeney Todd' from November 28 until December 8 at the Sands Theater.

This prior commitment explains why Salonga, considered Philippines' most treasured international artist, cannot perform at the 30th Southeast Asian Games opening on November 30, which the country is hosting.