Wikipedia says a parody is a work that imitates another work in order to ridicule, ironically comment on, or poke some affectionate fun at the work itself, the subject of the work, the author or fictional voice of the parody, or another subject.
Jonathan Lim, artistic director of theatre group Stages, has been with the Chestnuts franchise for a decade. And so last Saturday, we trooped down to catch his 10th 2-hour parody-party at the Drama Centre located within the new National Library. Our third Chestnut in as many years.
Verdict. A laugh-a-minute orgy of spoofs that left us kinda..err..brokeback in our seats =))
You know its not easy to do parodies. You want your audience to know what you are imitating and yet you need to get the message across in a not-so-obvious way so as to maintain that somewhat satirical sting at the end. Plus if you want them to laugh heartily when its over, the comic element has got to be done with some deadpan panache.
To this, Jonathan and his newly-formed comic threesome, do it with suitable aplomb.
They poke fun at, through a tightly-paced series of skits and sketches, everything from Dick Lee to Ang Lee, Geishas to Gigolos. That gay cowboy show Brokeback Mountain expectedly receives alot of attention, and so does Memoirs of a Geisha which was spoofed so expertly warped, it left most of us in nipponese stiches. Singapore Repertory Theatre's Forbidden City (
Forbidden Kitty in Chestnut-lingo) was also poked fun at no end.
The sets were of course really nothing to crow about, cheap even. But this was made up for by generous dollops of risque humour and naughty naunces that really brought out the silly side of many of 2006's offerings in local theatre and Hollywood cinema. I mean taking a 'maritime tragedy' like the Poseidon Adventure and turning it into a hilarious
Wayang Kulit performance complete with funny Malay accents and Gemelan music was a masterstroke in simple creativity. The show is Restricted Artistic 18, by the way =))
So to Jonathan, Hossan Leong, Rodney Olivero and Judy Ngo, I say well done.
And keep the Chestnuts roasting.
WHAT THE CRITICS SAY...
"The quality of the show was just overwhelming ... the show shines ever so brightly. I can honestly say that I haven't had this funny a night out in a long time ..."- Adi Soon, The Flying Inkpot
"The show is very funny and I enjoyed it very much. I'm definitely looking forward to next year's show."- Glen Goei
"CHESTNUTS is definitely roasting on an open fire - and it has been getting hotter with each year."- Zhou Junli, The New Paper
"Why has it not been banned in Singapore ?...an evening filled with paroxysms of laughter. Guaranteed your guts will bust..."- Kenneth Lyen, http://kenlyen.bravejournal.com
"...a massive truckload of funny...In the spirit of unforgiving CHESTNUTS humour, no one was spared in the quest for comedic truth-telling."- Deanne Tan, The Flying Inkpot
"...spot on and deliciously satirical..."- David Chew, TODAY
Drama Centre
Jan 10 to 20, 8pm (Tuesdays to Saturdays) and 3pm (Saturdays and Sundays)
No shows on Monday and Sunday evenings
Tickets at $10, $20, $30, $40 and $50 from Gatecrash (tel: 6222-5595, www.gatecrash.com.sg)