What’s Eating Gunong Sayang?

Nyonya Adelene Lim has the scoop on the venerable troupe’s centennial production, Pagar Makan Padi

This year’s production, Pagar Makan Padi, scores many “firsts” – it will be Gunong Sayang‘s first time staging a production at the Drama Centre; it will be the first time we are inviting actor friends from Malacca for cameo roles; Baba Frederick Soh’s first time as a scriptwriter and the first time where the stage set will remain unchanged throughout. Also, it forms part of GSA’s Centennial Celebration dedicated to the Peranakan community which has been very supportive of all our roadshows, performances, as well as cultural activities.

Gunong Sayang’s centennial play is written by Baba Frederick, whose experience in Wayang (theatre) Peranakan began with 1999′s Janji Perot. It was his first taste of acting when he played a teenage boy.

Frederick was ecstatic when his script was given the go- ahead for staging by Baba Victor Goh, GSA’s President. First written in 2008, Frederick shares his inspiration for the play: “I chanced upon a book, From the Family Album, introduced by Gretchen Liu, that showed portraits from the Lee Brothers Studio between 1910 and 1925. I was particularly drawn to the cover picture. It was a family portrait but what was peculiar was that there was a boy in the picture who was clearly seen as not part of the family.

I asked around for people’s opinion on this picture and concluded that he may be an anak koe pang (adopted child). I was inspired to write a story about what could have happened in this family.”

As chance would have it, the photograph that captured Frederick’s attention was one of our member’s grandparents’ portraits! It made us feel a real connection to this production.

After going through several drafts with senior cast members K T, Y M Lee, Baba Victor and director Tony Quek, Pagar Makan Padi was selected as the play’s title, from the proverb Harapkan Pagar, Pagar Makan Padi.

Pagar Makan Padi (Unreliable)

This story revolves around the household of Bibik Eng Neo. After the death of her husband who left her his inheritance, Bibik Eng Neo, who has only one son longs to have a grandchild to continue the family line as well as the business.

Her son, Roy and his wife, Nelly have been married for many years but there is still no sign of a child. The matriarch decides to take matters into her own hands and adopts a child, Tommy. Soon after, Roy and Nelly have two biological children of their own, a son, Robert, and a daughter, Daisy.

The kids grow up, but Nelly never regarded Tommy as part of the family. The family home becomes a place of daily feuding between the spoilt Robert and Daisy, who sides with Tommy.

It takes a major turn of events in the home before the family finds out who Tommy’s biological mother is, and also the importance of kinship even though Tommy is an adopted child.

Pagar Makan Padi will be staged at the Drama Centre, National Library, from 15 October 2010 (gala night) to 17 October 2010. Tickets for the evening and matinee shows are from $25 to $55, available at all SISTIC outlets and online at www.sistic.com.sg.

Visit www.gunongsayang.wordpress.com and www.gunongsayang.org or email: gunongsayangassociation@yahoo.com.sg. Join “Pagar Makan Padi (Unreliable)” on Facebook.