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lifestyle Apr 200952

S’uprelax

BENG friendly

This April, local thespian Lim Yu-Beng stars in Members Only, a play that explores male friendship. His real life mates? LEONG WAI KIT discovers that one of them is now a member of parliament.

MMISTER LIM YU-BENG has some pretty strange habits, according to his closest group of friends.

“When I eat an apple, I must fi nish it within 14 bites,” says the 43-year-old actor.

To prove that he isn’t kidding, Yu-Beng picks up a saltshaker and demonstrates.

“First, I take a bite on four sides of the apple. Then I work on it diagonally, and then the top and bottom.”

Right…

It took one of his buddies – who actually bothered to count – to point out this peculiar habit, leaving Yu-Beng to muse, “Oh, now I know it’s a total of 14 bites”.

Just

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Boys to menSeated comfortably in a bright corner at Hediard Cafe-Boutique where this interview is taking place, Yu-Beng recalls how he met this particular group of buddies.

“The fi ve of us met at OCS (O! cer Cadet School) during NS. Though we’re quite di" erent, there’re certain traits we share that bind us,” he explains.

Then, with his head cocked to one side, he continues earnestly: “Hmm, how do I not make this sound arrogant? We’re all mentally strong individuals and are driven in our own way. Even today, we’re still driven.

“One of them is MP Michael Palmer, another a pilot and the others with successful careers in private or public organizations,” Yu-Beng continues, as he refi lls his cup with tea.

And then of course, there’s Yu-Beng himself. The theatre graduate, who studied in California’s Pepperdine University, has dabbled in many areas of the arts, including putting his lighting design talents to spectacular use, for the opening ceremony of the International Olympic Conference in 2005.

This April, the versatile performer stars in a play directed by Tracie Pang. Members Only, which also features Daniel Jenkins, explores issues lifelong male buddies face.

So, what bonds the boys?

We go back a long way from our OCS training days to various stages of my life. They’ve seen me fall in love, get dumped and wasted, and then seen me fall in love all over again. They’ve been through all that with me, which is why there’s a certain level of patience in our friendship.

The nickname “Yubes” (a term of endearment used by wife Tan Kheng Hua) was given to me by one of them during our OCS days.

We talk about everything under the sun except boring s***.

Our favorite hangout is at one another’s home. When we get together, we end up drinking and eating (and drinking and eating). We don’t believe in drink driving so that’s the best place.

Kheng Hua loves this particular group of my friends because they’re the only ones who know me well enough to completely humiliate me and take me down and abuse me.

The last time I argued with one of them was on Jan 2 this year. We disagreed about something but we’re glad we each made our stand. We fought honorably and with respect, and I really valued the exchange.

Our friendship is so strong that we’d gladly fi ght alongside one another in a war. We’ve actually talked about this before. One night, while we were still in OCS, one of them said that if we ever had to go to war, he’d entrust his life in our hands. The fi ve of us agreed then, that this is the group we’d want to go to war with.

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Members Only stars Lim Yu-Beng (Adrien) and Daniel Jenkins (Bernard) as

two lifelong pals and partners in an architecture fi rm. An absurd

argument ensues when Adrien – who has other commitments – fails to attend

Bernard’s big four-O bash. Uh-oh… somebody’s gonna get real hurt…

Where:DBS Art Centre – Home of SRT

When:April 15 – 25, 2009

Tickets:$40 & $50

(Mon- Thurs 8pm & Sat 4pm)$45 & $55

(Fri & Sat 8 pm)

Call:6348 5555

Discounts: - 15% early birds (until March 15, 2009)- 15% group booking (20 and above)

- 30% Students, NS, Senior Citizens on weekdays and Saturday matinees

- 15% Passion Cards Holders- 15% Tanglin Club Members

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s Only stars Lim Yu-BengyDaniel Jenkins (Bernard) asss

ong pals and partners inecture fi rm. An absurd sues when Adrien – whomitments – fails to attend g four-O bash. Uh-oh…gonna get real hurt…

Where:re – Home of SRT

hen:25, 2009

ets:$50

& Sat 4pm)))))))))55pm)

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: rch 15, 2009)and above)Citizens on matinees

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