By Edwin Yeo

Man... It's Tough Being an Old Woman

Being an old person is tough says the poster of Liang Po Po- The Movie. Playing an old woman is no piece of cake either, said Liang Po Po's creator, Jack Neo, yesterday.


Especially since she's asthmatic and hunched. And shuffles her feet slowly along.

" Everyday, I had to walk bent over and speak in a high-pitched voice. It was extremely tiring," said Jack.

And the make-up was no joke, either.

" The hair piece was so hot!"

Though Jack has played Liang Po Po on television, it was only for short sketches.

For the movies, he had to stay in character for up to 16 hours a day.

"It was really demanding physically," said Jack.

He said his previous role in the record-breaking Money No Enough- where he played a guy- was a breeze compared with this.

But Jack, 38, said he has gained from acting Liang Po Po.

He learned a lot about directing from the professional crew and got valuable tips from veteran Hongkong actor Eric Tsang, who plays a Hongkong triad member.

"It has given me confidence to direct a feature film. Doing this film showed me some of the problems I would face," said Jack.

His next movie, That One No Enough, will mark his debut as director.

Jack, who also starred in Eric Khoo's 12 Storeys, was enthusiastic about Liang Po Po, which is jointly produced by TCS subsidiary Raintree Pictures and Eric's Zhao Wei Films.

Before the interview began, Jack wanted my reaction to the movie. I told him I found it very funny and he sat back, looking satisfied.

"I'm very happy with it. The production value was very high since it was handled by Eric Khoo's people," he said.

Although Jack had a serious role in 12 Storeys, his roles since have been comical.

He said he would do this as long as audiences enjoyed it.

But he saw himself moving more into directing in the future.

"I will reach a stage in my life where I will no longer find acting challenging.

"I've got to constantly challenge myself. Right now, movies are giving me that. But it doesn't mean that I'm giving up other stuff, just that I'm more focused on my movies."

Every Monday, Jack still appears on Comedy Night-which made Liang Po Po a household name. Jack's passion for films is obvious. When he took his wife for a second honeymoon before Liang Po Po was shot, he promised her that he would not work.

"But I secretly put a script, into my suitcase and rewrote it during the trip, much to my wife's discontentment." He said.

Liang Po Po-the Movie opens here on Feb 12.

Caption 1: Really tiring: Up to 16 hours a day, Jack as walking bent over and speaking in a high-pitched voice during the shooting of Liang Po PO-The Movie.

Caption 2: I will reach a stage in life where I will no longer find acting challenging. I've got to constantly challenge myself. Right now, movies are giving me that.