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SINGAPORE : The rehearsal space that the Dim Sum Dollies have called home for the past month or so is littered with strange props — a naked baby doll, fake ocean waves, and a "dolphin" — and even "stranger" people.
Among them is actor Hossan Leong in a dragon-embroidered cheongsam and a gaggle of what seem to be pirates from the 19th century.
In the middle of this hive of activity are the Dollies — Selena Tan, Emma Yong and Pam Oei — themselves.
Only at this particular moment, they are the "Spice girls", although their routine will have less to do with the British girl group than with the significance of the spice trade that brought explorers like Stamford Raffles to the region. Selena Tan's dress is draped in star anise, and the scallop pattern on Emma Yong's, it is revealed, is meant to represent ginger.
In Dim Sum Dollies in The History of Singapore — which runs from July 5 to 15 — the actresses take creative liberties with historical figures such as Sang Nila Utama, Admiral Cheng Ho and the samsui women.
"They step out of the textbooks, but that's it," said Tan, 35, laughing. "Whatever happens after that is not from the books."
Audacious as they are – the Dollies have, in previous productions, lampooned everyone from former Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri to Mother Teresa — they had some apprehensions about tackling parts of Singapore history.
The Japanese occupation during World War II was difficult subject matter, considering it was a "terrible time, and it's such a serious subject", according to Yong, 32.
Of the myriad characters they play, there are some favourites: The convent girl in Oei, 34, — she studied at the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus — has grown attached to a missionary character, while Tan said she enjoys playing a pirate.
"It's the closest to my natural self," she said with a laugh. "Always rough and ready."
The set — their most expensive so far at around $700,000 — will be given the Dim Sum Dollies touch.
"It's all very Broadway, very show girl," said Yong.
Tickets are selling fast – the preview show on July 5 sold out over a month ago. This, said Tan, is an "encouraging sign that audiences here have matured. "Now they buy their tickets early," she said.
WHAT: DIM SUM DOLLIES IN THE HISTORY OF SINGAPORE
WHEN: JULY 5 TO 15
WHERE: ESPLANADE THEATRE
TODAY/rose
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