The Attack of the Dim Sum Dollies!

If you've never been to a production of the Dim Sum Dollies, then you really don't know what you're missing out on! Hot like chilli sauce, succulent and juicy like big fat prawns, and definitely a smashing experience, the three dollies made up of Selena Tan, Pam Oei and Emma Yong have produced a brilliant cabaret comedy that is as Singaporean as the Malay parking ladies who trawl HDB parking lots.

Well, catch it while it lasts though. The famously rib tickling trio that has brought all these years of laughter (at ourselves) may just take a break soon, warns the show's star, Selena Tan.

She tells that and more to Fifo in the midst of their current run, History of Singapore (on now till Feb 28).

When History of Singapore ran last year, it was an absolute sell out, with people trying to pull strings to get tickets even! What do you think was the runaway success of last year's show?

 I think there’s been really a lack of local works, whether musicals or plays or literature, that parody and laugh at Singapore’s history.  We’ve always been taught to treat everything with such severe “respect” and Dim Sum Dollies’ History of Singapore allowed audiences to find that release.  To laugh at parts of our history in a ridiculous way without feeling like we’ve been unpatriotic.  In fact, Pam, Emma and I feel very patriotic about the show and I suspect so do our audiences.  We are most grateful for the success.

More importantly, the success of the Dim Sum Dollies act, why can't Singaporeans get enough of you three girls?

We’re silly and smart at the same time, serious and funny at the  same time, and simply out there!  We try to reflect as much as possible the sentiments of the man on the street.  Also, we feel it is important to make people laugh and as long as we keep the laughs real, people will want to come for some release from this ultra stressful life we live in Singapore.

While it is a rerun of last year's History of Singapore, a lot has happened since the July production. Will there be any amendments to the script/content this time round?

We’ve tried toying around with it but the sentiment has generally been not to try to mend what’s not broken.  So, no major changes have been made but there’ve been some “tweaks”.  We can play “spot the difference” with our repeat audience.  As for the new issues ... There’ll always been other shows and opportunities to deal with those ..

If you had to choose just one historical moment of Singapore to work with as material, which would it be and why?

It would be the early 1900s all the way to 1940.  When Singapore was a real frontier, a cowboy town.  Colourful and exciting.  Lots of real immigrant stories and stories of families or lovers torn apart, of rags, riches and rags to riches.  Not forgetting the start of the movement for independence.  Very fun to write about.

Finally, on a more serious note, what do you think is the place of the Dim Sum Dollies production in the history of the Singapore theatre scene/canon now that it has clearly been established itself as a yearly show Singaporeans look forward to?

Wow ... Can’t say I've thought about it so seriously.  I think I’ve always believed that we will take a break really soon.  Not sure if we want to keep doing an annual show because I would like to explore other possible productions as well.  I will probably work on one or two more shows for the Dim Sum Dollies, beyond that, I hope to experiment with new works. 

Dim Sum Dollies: History of Singapore is on at the Esplanade Theatre from now until Feb 28. Tickets from www.sistic.com.sg 

“The History Of Singapore is quite possibly going to be remembered as a landmark production for Singapore comedy.”
Hong Xinyi, The Straits Times Life!

The Dim Sum Dollies return with their hilarious version of The History of Singapore after a SOLD OUT run in 2007!

The Dollies take on Sang Nila Utama, Samsui Women, Japanese Pilots and more, as they spice up “history” with song, dance and social commentary!

From relak island to getting kicked out of Malaysia, this is a laugh-out-loud romp for the locals, and an Insider’s Guide to Singapore for visitors!

Catch this Cabaret Comedy of Epic Proportions!
HISTORY will NEVER be the same again!

Book and lyrics by Selena Tan
Music and Musical Direction by Elaine Chan
Directed by Glen Goei
Starring Dim Sum Dollies Selena Tan, Pam Oei and Emma Yong, with Hossan Leong, accompanied by sizzling hot Loh Mai Guys and the LIVE Dim Sum Band