In all things SG50, why not take a look back at Singapore’s birth and achievements? No, not at those dusty, old history books. I have a better idea. One that involves sequins, prematurely ejected Kamikaze Pilots and punny dance numbers that’ll get you laughing all the way home – yes, I am talking about the amazing, the fabulous Dim Sum Dollies (FB/Instagram).
Starring Selena Tan, Pam Oei, Denise Tan as our beloved cabaret trio, along with multi-character-in-one Chopstick a.k.a. Hossan Leong, The History of Singapore Part I will take audiences back to the beginning of time. Well, not exactly. Just to the beginning of Singapore. Specifically, 700 years ago from the days of Sang Nila Utama to 1965 with enough puns to last you a decade (or at least until Crazy Christmas 2015 in December).
No way is it a plain reprisal of the show back in 2007/2008. Things have changed a lot for 2015 sees a very different Singapore. The “new” show took what we learnt back in those stuffy classrooms and hot controversial topics onto a stage in crazy sequined costumes with a huge side of saucy.
No doubt, their tongue-in-cheek approach got everyone chuckling at topics I would not dare voice out in public. This is all really what makes the Dim Sum Dollies such a landmark production for Singapore. Mayo Martin of Today said it the best, “The satirical touch employed came across as more sincere and wholesome than sneering malice.” In a wink-wink, nudge-nudge sort of way, they poked fun at my favourite much-maligned Parking Pontianak (played hilariously by Selena) to the pressing problems with our legalised Sin City approach to becoming the next big entertainment hub in the region. Double-digit growth is no easy feat after all.
Known for their seemingly endless costumes, the show is well-known for their quick costume changes and switching into a different character and accent. Hossan definitely took home the prize for that right off the bat. In minutes, he went from Julius Cesar, Genghis Khan, Napoleon Bonaparte to a native Red Indian just to name a few. This was all while making jabs at how tiny our little red dot is in their various distinctive dialogues.
Talking about dialogues, I adored how everything remained uniquely Singapore. Keeping to our multi-cultural roots, there is a good mix of dialects we hear every day on the way to work, during lunch at the Kopitiam to our very own home with our families. Though, those who are more towards the Jiak Gan Tang side of things may find it intimidating, but no worries. The dialects do not dominate the dialogues, and the dollies and crew did a great job translating theirs words in action.
Ultimately, expect to take a walk through the dollies’ colourful version of Singapore history and go home with a whole load of laughs with “Singapore Girl” stuck in your head for days to come. Whether you have been following the dollies or are new to their comedic cabaret antics, Dim Sum Dollies: The History of Singapore Part I is sure worth catching regardless of race, language or religion.
Dim Sum Dollies: The History of Singapore Part I will be showing for a limited time only from the 5 to 21 June 2015 at the Esplanade Theatre. Tickets are available from S$48 to S$148 at SISTIC online or through +65 5348 5555. More information on the show can be found on Dream Academy’s website.
Check out some of the backstage photos we took.
#DimSumDollies’ new show “History Of Singapore Part One” opens tonight and ends on 21 June 2015 a short run at Esplanade Theatres on the Bay. Dim Sum Dollies
Posted by SUPERADRIANME.com on Friday, June 5, 2015
About the Writer
Jessica is a young lady of many obsessions. She gets herself into everything ranging from the latest in the monochrome fashion world (she only wears black, and sometimes, white) to convincing the masses that Community is the best TV series ever made.
Currently, she enjoys looking like Sailor Mercury had a baby with Wednesday Addams.
