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SINGAPORE: Pantomimes planted at the year-end production schedules of W!ld Rice are likened to raucous, over-the-top Christmas parties, complete with cross-dressing and loads of physical comedy. Thankfully, the upcoming "Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs" is unlikely to be different.
Past pantos such as "Cinderel-LAH!" (2003), "Oi! Sleeping Beauty" (2005) and "Jack & the Beansprout" (2006) have won local audiences over with their imaginative storylines that artfully blend Singaporean elements with the conventions of the genre.
Written for the enjoyment of both adults and children, these pantos are basically well-known fairy tales that have been 'remixed' for comic or satirical purposes where witty – or racy – jokes are infused and audience participation greatly encouraged. Music, in particular, adds flesh to the structure.
For this year's "Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs", director Hossan Leong has crafted a very 'un-Disney' musical direction for the Brothers Grimm tale.
"Music in pantomimes is traditionally a bit lah-dee-dah... but I want it to go modern, to go pop, go rock!" Leong exclaimed, adding that he has a well-oiled synergy with music director Elaine Chan, who is much-lauded for her work in the popular musical theatre series, "Dim Sum Dollies".
But some traditional aspects of the panto-format, such as putting actors in drag, are retained.
Actor Sebastian Tan, who has gained critical acclaim and recognition for his stand-up comedy show "Broadway Beng!", will play the Dame – the egotistical Queen who seeks to destroy all beauty other than her own.
Having last took on a cross-dressing role ten years ago in "Kara-u-ok", Tan quipped that this is a "once-in-a-decade opportunity that is not to be missed". However, audiences who hope he would integrate some of his personable 'beng' idiosyncrasies into his new role and turn the Queen slightly 'lian' will be disappointed.
"No lah... the Queen will be very proper and sexy. Drag is a serious business; it's an art that I hope to perfect come Opening Night," Tan laughingly protested.
In fact, other than Tan, newcomer Elena Wang who plays Snow White will be doing some 'personality cross-dressing' of her own when she assumes the character of the "sweet and somewhat naïve" princess.
"I am not that damsel-in-distress! All my friends know me as gung-ho and independent, and I come across a little too strong sometimes. And so as Ivy in 'Beauty World', there was a lot of holding back, bringing me to a time that was a lot simpler," the eloquent 21-year-old said, citing her theatrical debut experience in another W!ld Rice production earlier this year.
Other notable cast members of the "Snow White" pantomime include Celine Rosa Tan – who voiced the lead character 'Dawan' in MediaCorp Raintree Pictures' animated film, "Sing to the Dawn" – Dwayne Tan and Jacqueline Pereira.
The W!ld Rice production will be staged at the Drama Centre Theatre at the National Library Building from November 26 to December 20. Tickets are still available at SISTIC.
- CNA/so
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