13 August 2006 Sunday | 4:08 | -
I was almost late.
People flocking to the Singapore Fireworks Festival finale caused a massive jam on both Orchard and Havelock exits of the Central Expressway. But I didn’t fail to amaze my friends (and myself) by arriving right on time, after a few minor stunts on the roads. The Traffic Police must be busy with crowd control at the Marina area, I thought. Hee.
One more thing. DBS Arts Centre is not at DBS Building hor. It’s at Robertson Quay that side ok…
I didn’t see how impressive he was in the UK run of Miss Saigon, but Sebastian Tan surely brought the house down with Broadway Beng.
It was a little short story of himself, by himself.
I thought it was particularly interesting to see the successful production again this month. I drove past a getai, right into another getai. Hahaha.
The Ah Beng was fun to watch as he crooned some very atas English tracks, and extremely heartlandish Hokkien hits like 愛拼才會贏 and my ultimate favourite 一支小雨傘。The fusion of a Broadway musical and a Bedok getai was very enjoyable.
The Queen- I mean Prince Charles’ mother, not Kumar- would have been proud with his enunciation.
In between hilarious tales of growing up and venturing abroad, Sebastian Tan drives home an important message in this flag flying month: While the pasture might be greener on the other side, something would always pull you home. For the Beng, it was the three Fs: Food, family, and friends. Whether it was the 50-pound (currency, not weight) laksa in London, or bringing with him instant noodles, chilli sauce and a photo of mummy dearest while travelling, Ah Beng tells each and every one of us that there’s no place like home.
My jaw dropped as they unveiled a giant flag measuring at least 4 metres by 8 metres in the special encore item. Stand Up for Singapore was treated to a hokkien twist, and I felt this is Home, truly, where I know I must be.
Broadway Beng is excellent, surely. As my senses tell me.
Now, if you would excuse me, I need to brush up on my Hokkien…
那怕失去希望每日醉茫茫無魂有體親像稻草人
人生可比是海上的波浪 有時起有時落
好運歹運 總嘛要照起來行
三分天注定 七分靠打拼
愛拼才會贏
Roughly hor, it means:
But cannot lose hope, cannot become drunkard.
Got body, no soul, machiam scarecrow.
Life is like the waves.
Got high got low.
Good luck, bad luck, almost must carry on.
30% see heaven; 70% see yourself.
Must pia then will win!
And oh, here’s the lyrics to my ultimate fav… One little umbrella.
雖然雙人行相偎 遇著風雨這呢大 崁坎小路又歹行 咱著小心行
你甲我 做陣拿著一支小雨傘 雨越大 渥甲淡糊糊 心情也快活
咱二人 做陣拿著一支小雨傘 越大我 來照顧你你 來照顧我
你我雙人同心肝 不驚風雨這呢大 黑暗小路又歹行 咱著小心行
你甲我 做陣拿著一支小雨傘 風愈大 渥甲淡糊糊 心情也快活
咱二人 做陣拿著一支小雨傘 雨越大 我來照顧你 你來照顧我
雖然雙人行相偎 遇著風雨這呢大 崁坎小路又歹行 咱著小心行
你甲我 做陣拿著一支小雨傘 雨越大 渥甲淡糊糊 心情也快活 心情也快活
Roughly hor, it means:
Rain become heavier, I take care of you, you take care of me
The two of us meet so heavy rain,
The narrow road so difficult to walk, we have to carefully walk
You and me, together take one little umbrella
Rain become heavier, we wet wet, but still very happy
Two of us, together take one little umbrella
Wind become stronger, I take care of you, you take care of me
You and me, hearts together, don’t fear strong wind and heavy rain
At night, the road so dark, so difficult to walk, we have to carefully walk.
So lomantic.
