Who’s
this Ah-Beng turned millionaire?
August 15, 2001
What happens when a heartland ‘uncle’
strikes it big in the lottery? Lots of laughs and social boo-boos
in the Brand New Towkay that’s what!
By Kwok Kar Peng
(Click on pictures for larger image)
Newman Soh (played by veteran actor Marcus
Chin) of Sembawang is a New Man.
This typical heartlander has lived every Singaporean’s
wet dream of winning the Toto. Not just a measly few thousands but
$10 million!
 With
his wife Sandy (played by first-time actress Irene Sia) and son
Jackson (played by Eating Air’s Ah Boy Benjamin Heng), they’ve
packed their barang and moved to the lush and prestigious District
10.
Old habits never die, and despite his sudden
country club membership and 4-storey faux French house, Ah Beng-made-good
Newman just cannot let go of his Stout, karaoke and mahjong.
 All
to the wrath of his snooty neighbour Arthur Sebastian Wee (played
by Growing Up’s Lim Kay Tong), because Newman’s unpolished
background reminds Arthur too much of his own past.
How will Newman rise to the upper crust and
how low would Arthur stoop to thwart his neighbour’s plan?
Don’t miss Brand
New Towkay’s debut tomorrow (August 16) at 8pm on Channel
5!
Meanwhile, the cast from Brand New Towkay give
their take on this unique aspect of local culture and tell us how
to spot a towkay in Singapore.
 Margaret
Chan (as Elizabeth Ophelia Wee, the wife of Lim Kay Tong’s
character Arthur Sebastian Wee)
“There are 2 types of towkays here, differentiated
by their socio-cultural background.
One is the Rolex-wearing kind who drives the
big Mercedes or BMWs.
Towkays of the second type are the real big
ones, with their Patek Philippe watches and their Island Country
Club memberships. They’re quiet, nondescript and you’ll
see them in their habitats like in big posh functions.”
EJ (as Nadia Wee, Arthur & Elizabeth's oldest daughter)
“They wear big fat Rolexes, the loudest
and most colourful Versace shirts and white pants, and drive a big
fat Mercedes!”
Sounds like EJ is describing Newman Soh!
 Cheryl
Marie Cordeiro (as Stephanie Wee, Arthur & Elizabeth's younger
daughter)
“The ‘genuine’ towkays are difficult
to spot because they don’t flaunt their money. I have a friend
who’s filthy rich, but he doesn’t wear any rings or other
obvious extravagances. But if you look closely, you’ll know
his shirt is from Hugo Boss, and his tie from Armani.
You can also spot them by the ‘toys’
(cars etc) they have.
The other towkays would wear big rings, expensive
jewellery and shirts with loud prints, and nothing matches.”
For character profiles and episodic guide,
go to Brand
New Towkay’s official page!
Join the discussion on our message board 
You
think Brand New Towkay can make it big like PCK or Under One Roof?
Like
our digital photos? Print them into hard copy versions with Photoprints.
|
