What better way to get reacquainted with the history of our little island than a sequin-filled evening of song and dance by the Dim Sum Dollies?

Selena Tan, Denise Tan and Pamela Oei return with The History Of Singapore Part 1, which was first staged in 2007 and deals with key moments in the nation’s story before 1965 — albeit with more tongue-in-cheek panache. (The sequel, which tells the story of modern, independent Singapore, was shown last December.)

Of course, the popular cabaret trio’s version of Singapore’s past differed slightly from the one we learnt in school, although it goes without saying which we prefer. With a hearty dose of wit and creativity, the Dollies re-enacted scenes from the days of Alexander The Great — you’ll have to watch to understand — to the founding of modern Singapore in 1819, and the nation’s independence in 1965; and not without the help of some rather catchy tunes penned by composer Elaine Chan and the cross-dressing show-stealer Hossan Leong.

While their jokes and puns were not always en pointe, the Dollies’ journey through the centuries was mostly uproarious and wonderfully entertaining. After all, what is there not to like about watching the Dollies dress up as mother and girlfriend to a lackadaisical Sang Nila Utama, played by their Chopstick (Leong), on a quest for prime real estate? Or for that matter, as DVD pirates, Irish missionary nuns and Caucasian-crazy Sarong Party Girls lusting after Sir Stamford Raffles? Leong’s performances, in particular, was as delightful as it was varied. The comedian played characters ranging, somewhat inexplicably, from Mahatma Gandhi and a Hokkien-spewing rickshaw puller to a svelte Peranakan woman — often eliciting laughter from the audience before he even said a word.

And the fact that the show dealt with ancient history did not mean it could not be both relevant and deliciously irreverent. The Dollies cleverly worked everything, from your usual suspects such as summons aunties, taxi drivers who are always “changing shifts” and, of course, the Government, to the latest topics in local gossip, such as Amos Yee, the SEA Games and even the curry-puff syndicate, into the show. The girls even found the opportunity to work Miley Cyrus’ Wrecking Ball into their routine, although we won’t tell you how.

Perhaps, some would prefer to watch comedy that carries at least a hint of subtlety. But as Selena Tan said at the beginning of the show, “overkill is a skill”. And, when it comes to the Dim Sum Dollies, it is a skill we love to love.

Dim Sum Dollies: The History of Singapore Part 1 will run at The Esplanade Theatre until June 21. Tickets from S$48 to S$148 are available at SISTIC.