April 22, 2007
ROYSTON Tan is used to being called the 'bad boy of Singapore
films', but the enfant terrible hopes that this label will not
extend to describing his debut performance at New York's Central
Park.
The 30-year-old director will be performing getai - in Hokkien no
less - during the open-air concert for Singapore Day today, with
the leads of his new film 881, Yeo Yann Yann and Mindee Ong.
'Singing in Hokkien is very difficult. I have to get the intonation
and accent right,' said Royston who is a self-confessed karaoke
fan.
Singapore Day is the inaugural festival of Singapore food and
entertainment. The event is organised by the Prime Minister's
Office's Overseas Singaporean Unit (OSU), for Singaporeans living
and working in the Big Apple.
Royston, Yann Yann and Mindee will be singing songs from 881, a
musical comedy about two getai singers who perform at the annual
Hungry Ghost Festival.
When The New Paper met them on Monday, they had just begun
rehearsing for the show.
While he may be worried about hitting the right notes, Yann Yann,
30, and Mindee, 27, are worried that their costumes may not protect
them from New York's chilly spring weather. Designed by Mothar
Kassim, they include calf-high gold and white boots and feathered
mini skirts.
Royston will also work in a portion of 881 - which is due to be
released on National Day this year - into the show.
He said: 'Our segment will give Singaporeans the feeling like they
are back in their HDB void decks watching the getai
performances.'
The Singapore Day concert will also include Kit Chan, indie band
Great Spy Experiment, and a musical medley by Robin Goh, George
Chan and Dwayne Tan called Singapore Got Musical Meh?
Jonathan Lim, Hossan Leong and Rodney Oliverio will also enact
their parody show, Chestnuts.
HUGE AUDIENCE
The event is held today at Wollman Rink in Central Park, which is
New York's outdoor skating rink. The venue was chosen as it could
accommodate a higher-than-expected turnout. The OSU had earlier
planned for 1,000 Singaporeans but now, it believes up to 5,000
people may show up at the day-long event.
The event also has video screens and exhibition panels to give
overseas Singaporeans an updated view of the country.
Some 20 hawkers will also be plying Singapore favourites, from
chicken rice to roti prata.
Said Mr Quek: 'Someone told us that some friends in New York were
planning to go very early to the venue for Singapore Day. because
they want to be first in line to get to the food, to see the
exhibitions and basically, to make sure they get in.'
Which goes to show that even in New York, you can't take the kiasu
out of the Singaporean.