For avid theatregoers, Pam Oei needs no introduction. The rest of us know her as a founding member of the Dim Sum Dollies, one of Singapore’s most beloved and bubbly cabaret groups, and as the director at the helm of numerous theatre productions over the years (like last year’s Mama White Snake and Boeing Boeing, just to name a couple).
Performing is in Oei’s blood: she’s entertained audiences as a comedian at Happy Ever Laughter 2014 and recent stand-up comedy show The Funny in Money, and also now fronts funk/rock band Ugly in the Morning. The band recently released their third studio album 3 Or More If You Can Afford It, which is their first release with Oei on vocals. Standout track ‘Riot City’ was also the theme song of 2014 film Unlucky Plaza.
Oei’s next project is Faghag, a one-woman cabaret production under the auspices of this year’s Singapore Theatre Festival. Directed by Ivan Heng, Faghag is Oei’s playwriting debut, emerging from her lifelong status as a friend and ally to the gay community, whether it’s as an overjoyed guest at a gay wedding (she attended her first in 2001) or as an enthusiastic Countdown Queen at Pink Dot every year.
Ahead of Faghag’s premiere on 18 July, we asked Pam what songs she’s currently listening to. Pam had a hard time picking from 50 beloved tracks, and the result is a groovy playlist that moves fluidly from pop, funk to R&B, pulling in the greats like Prince and Sharon Jones and local favourites like Vandetta and Charlie Lim. Check it out below!
