A short review of 'Chesty Nutty"

Don't get me wrong. I'm not exactly a theatre critic but I'll attempt to share some of the views I have of Chesty Nutty Bang Bang after watching it.

I managed to take just these 2 pictures anyways...





It has been sometime since I caught a theatre performance, or rather engage myself in the arts scene again. It was a good feeling after a long time, to be able to sit in as an audience in a big theatre space like Drama Centre to watch arts sparks on the stage.

I felt nostalgic when I saw the stage, where I used to emote and dramatize various roles. But I think I still prefer a small performing space though as it feels more intimate to be able to connect to the performers' sentiments in all moments.

I think Chestnuts is a successful production in tickling the audiences' senses; one production I would consider it being easily likable to the masses, but probably not too much to most theatre practitioners. The show is definitely of high entertainment value but judging strictly from entertaining quality, some might not nod in consensus.

I mustn't deny the difficulties of performing in this show, where every performer is required to shed their previous role the last minute and embracing the next role almost immediately after only say 5 seconds of lights off. I applaud for Judy's versatility, whom I especially caught attention for most of the time. I knew Judy back in 2000 when we were in "Sampek Engtay" and I've since looked up to her as a hardworking and professional performer.

Joakim Gomez was obviously the weakest of all the veteran performers, being unable to project his voice at most times and somewhat lost focus in some of the scenes. However, being his debut performance, the effort he has put in is definitely laudable. For the rest, I've nothing credible to comment for all of them were supposed to be strong to that certain level, hence no huge surprises for me.

The overall performance could have been a little bit much tighter to create more attention among the audience, probably doing away with some of the scenes. I like the music arrangement though as it was aptly inserted into the right moment of most of the scenes. I think my comments are as such.

To be able to immerse myself in a fantastic performance is always a bliss. It opens up my senses and causes intensity in my emotions - this is what I'm looking for in an unforgettable performance. Chestnuts has not exactly convinced me on this aspect but it has for sure surpassed the basic humour and entertainment value this show should possess. I now finally fathom how I can come to view theatre after watching exceptionally great performances overseas that sought to move and inspire. Thank God.