The talented Mr Pang

One of my fondest memories of New York is Shakespeare in Central Park. Every summer, it's the one event that I eagerly look forward to. There are many reasons for it's huge success. Firstly, it's free. Secondly, many big name actors have performed there - I've watched Meryl Streep, Nathalie Portman & Kevin Kline.

So when my friend Meng (hi, I know he reads my blog) suggested that we go watch Adrian Pang perform Much Ado about Nothing at Fort Canning Park, I immediately said yes. Even though I don't really know who Adrian Pang is, apart from the fact that he's hugely popular in Singapore & from an old movie I watched a long time ago, Forever Fever that I really enjoyed.

But it was the idea of having a picnic with wine & cheese that appealed to me. It has been so long since I last did that. Of course, I offered to bring the food - cheese, olives, cured ham, salami, baguette & since we're in Singapore, KFC.

You all know I'm an outdoors kind of girl but it's really hard to be enthusiastic when the weather is hot & humid. Even though I was perspiring profusely, it didn't seem to matter cos I was watching the very talented Mr Adrian Pang.

Every time he was on stage, all eyes were on him. Every line he delivered drew a response from the crowd. He may be speaking in a vocabulary that is no longer common yet he makes it sound so natural. Granted it's a romantic comedy & the role of Benedick fits him like a T, not every actor can deliver Shakespeare well & he has done a very admirable job.

A reviewer from the Straits Times had some issues with the fact that it was a Peranakan setting. I wasn't bothered by that nor did it make the show any less enjoyable.

My 4 & a half year old was captivated, so would you. Go early to snag a good spot. Bring a fan & insect repellent. You don't even have to bring food if you don't want to. You can buy food from the Indochine tent & dessert from the Ben & Jerry's stand. Don't forget the wine.