Grooving to a New Beat
Pioneer (Girls) Generation [PGG] shatters any notions we might have of senior citizens being frail, conservative individuals helplessly waiting for death. The sassy seniors in PGG have no qualms voicing their opinions and stand unafraid to fight for what they believe in.
More importantly, they are always game for some fun.
Set in a top class retirement village in Singapore, PGG offers a glimpse to a world where seniors live together with their friends in a luxurious environment. All seems well and happy with the seniors enjoying their bit of freedom and free medication until the management declares a raise in rental fees without seeking the residents’ opinions. Paula (Catherine Sng), objecting to the exorbitant rental fees, moves out to a similar but more affordable retirement home in Johor Bahru. Paula’s flat mates Bob (Thomas Lim), Marilyn (Padma Sagaram) and Susie (Irene Ong) come up with a plan to coax their friend back.
PGG is a devised effort by the cast neatly crafted into a linear piece by The Necessary Stage’s resident playwright, Haresh Sharma. There is regrettably little development throughout the fairly predictable storyline [spanning 100 minutes in performance time].
Despite tripping over some of their lines, the seniors never fail to throw us all into roars of laughter. The song and dance routines are not exceptional but the sincerity emanating from the cast during the performance do capture our hearts.
The young supporting duo Dwayne Lau and Audrey Luo played multiple characters including a Filipino manager [complete with accent] and a scheming Chinese lady. These characters created many laugh out loud moments throughout this comedy piece. Other than that, the many one dimensional stereotypes grow tiresome quickly.
Performed in the intimate space of the National Museum of Singapore’s Gallery Theatre, I question the use of wireless microphones. Not only because I feel that the actors can handle voice projection but also, the volume control and levels are problematic whenever an actor raises his/her voice.
Alvin Tan and Haresh Sharma have created a light-hearted production showcasing members of TNS’s Theatre for Seniors. It is heartening to see seniors being active, opening and engaged.