Bellyfull of laughs

First published in Sunday People, New Sunday Times
22 March 2009

Bellyfull of laughs

Big mole, curly hair and yellow boots? Adibah Noor shares with MAX KOH her memorable moments working with the Phua Chu Kang spinoff series


 
The cast of PCK Sdn Bhd with Adibah (right)

Constantly sought after for her singing, hosting, voiceover, and acting skills including the upcoming Yasmin Ahmad film Talentime, Adibah Noor has plenty on her plate. 

Adibah (of Terlalu Istimewa fame) is preparing to host the Anugerah Industri Muzik 2009 with Afdlin Shauki for the third time in May, and working on her second album “hopefully before the Raya holidays”.

But she made time to take part in the spinoff to the immensely popular Phua Chu Kang series.

“It was through an angel called Harith Iskandar who asked me to audition for Phua Chu Kang Sdn Bhd,” says Adibah. “I mean, could I pass up the opportunity to work with some of my idols on television?”

Needless to say, Adibah, with 11 years of showbusiness tucked away, passed the audition and gleefully bagged the job in PCK Sdn Bhd. 

The half-hour, 13-episode comedy follows the irreverent gum-booted contractor (played by Gurmit Singh) and his loud wife Rosie (Irene Ang) who has moved to Malaysia to expand his construction company business.

Chu Kang hooks up his former employee and burger millionaire mogul Izzy (Harith) to form a 50-50 partnership, and moves in next door to the man’s mansion in Bandar Botanic, Klang.

Chu Kang’s house plays host to many boisterous characters. 

Nell Ng plays socialite Datin Suzie Kong whose glamour and classiness is the antithesis of her sister, Rosie, while Fadzlie Rahim is Izzy’s contractor brother who poses a direct competition to PCK Sdn Bhd. 

And then there is Fatimah (Adibah), Izzy’s nosy and curious 60-year-old mother who works as a maid in Chu Kang’s house in order to spy for Fazzy. 

“I really enjoy playing my character who mistrusts Chu Kang and Singaporeans in general,” says Adibah, whose cinematic acting credits include Mukhsin, Gubra and Buli Balik. 

“She doesn’t act like an old woman at all. She has a lot of zest and it is really fun to see her dual nature as a spy in Chu Kang’s house and also as a caring mother. 

“However, she slowly begins to become fond of Chu Kang’s family in the series.”

So what is it like working with the lovable and famous cast?

“My goodness, the experience is indescribable! They were very co-operative with no air of snobbishness. We were friends right from the start.

“They were really thinking actors and many times I couldn’t stop myself laughing when they ad-libbed jokes,” she says, while admitting that’s her biggest challenge on set.

“So many times Gurmit would make funny expressions and I would burst out laughing and we had to do so many takes because of that,” recalls Adibah with a wide grin.

The sense of fun and teamwork certainly helped her make it through the shooting which sometimes lasted from 6pm to 10am. 

But it was all worth it, for Adibah. “I mean, it’s Phua Chu Kang! This series has captivated audiences in Singapore and Malaysia. And besides, now I can boast that I have worked with Phua Chu Kang, the best in Singapore and now Malaysia!” 

Catch Phua Chu Kang Sdn Bhd beginning March 25 on Wednesday nights, at 8.30pm on ntv7. You can also catch Adibah on AIM 2009 which will be aired ‘live’ exclusively on ntv7 on May 9.