'打金枝'的小公主與小駙馬, 觀眾看得開心極了.
析梅巧遇的小小生和小花旦, 也大快人心.
洛水夢會, 小朋友雖然不懂情情愛愛或什麼是海枯石瀾, 也演得絲絲入扣, 唱得動聽.
小英雄, 易水送荊軻.
July 26, 2007
小公主 與 小駙馬
Pictures from cantonese opera magazine 粵劇曲藝. These kids performed in HK recently. According to the magazine the audience had a fun and hilarious time laughing and clapping away. I think the happiest people must be their parents.
'打金枝'的小公主與小駙馬, 觀眾看得開心極了.
析梅巧遇的小小生和小花旦, 也大快人心.
洛水夢會, 小朋友雖然不懂情情愛愛或什麼是海枯石瀾, 也演得絲絲入扣, 唱得動聽.
小英雄, 易水送荊軻.
'打金枝'的小公主與小駙馬, 觀眾看得開心極了.
析梅巧遇的小小生和小花旦, 也大快人心.
洛水夢會, 小朋友雖然不懂情情愛愛或什麼是海枯石瀾, 也演得絲絲入扣, 唱得動聽.
小英雄, 易水送荊軻.
July 25, 2007
Movie star follow-up
Chun See and fmchan, both of you are right. She is Kar Ling (嘉玲).
光陰似箭, Kar Ling, now.....
and this is she 40 years ago...look so different.
光陰似箭, Kar Ling, now.....
and this is she 40 years ago...look so different.
July 21, 2007
Movie star
Hello, those of you who often in the past watched old cantonese black-and-white movies, do you recognize this former film star below. I think you could also watch her movies on our television before the no-dialects on TV policy took effect. I can't remember that was how many years ago. After that all dialect programmes were dubbed in mandarin.
She used to partner Xie Xian (謝賢) in her movies. According to this programme I watched she married a Thai businessman, retired completely from movie-making and went to Thailand.She now lives a peaceful contented life with her family.
She used to partner Xie Xian (謝賢) in her movies. According to this programme I watched she married a Thai businessman, retired completely from movie-making and went to Thailand.She now lives a peaceful contented life with her family.
July 20, 2007
Computer screen
This is my computer screen. See, there are lines across the top. At first, maybe 1 year ago, only a few but now they are about 1cm thick already. Anyone got these on your screen?There was an article two days ago which says prices of LCD monitors have dropped 30%. So I was thinking whether to buy one. But this computer is more than 3 years old. On second thought, I think leave it alone. Wonder whether there will be more lines.
July 19, 2007
A leaf from Singapore's Chinese opera history....
1996, Clarke Quay - Chinese Theatre Circle, probably in collaboration with STPB, started the weekly presentation of traditional chinese opera at Clarke Quay. It was accompanied by a live orchestra. The performers did their make-up at the open space in front of the stage. They also changed into their costumes on stage for everyone to see. The opera excerpts attracted local fans as well as tourists.
This is Lou Mee Wah, now the instructor and chief of the Tanjong Pagar CC cantonese opera group, helping a performer with her costume.
The two artistes posing with a tourist were Richard Lee Kim Seng and Jasmine Cheung Seok Lin.
The excitement of a live street opera performance. A scene frozen in time.
I felt it was a good idea. It could also include other local groups as well as other operas like Li Yuan Xi, Hokkien opera, Yue opera, etc.
This is Lou Mee Wah, now the instructor and chief of the Tanjong Pagar CC cantonese opera group, helping a performer with her costume.
The two artistes posing with a tourist were Richard Lee Kim Seng and Jasmine Cheung Seok Lin.
The excitement of a live street opera performance. A scene frozen in time.
I felt it was a good idea. It could also include other local groups as well as other operas like Li Yuan Xi, Hokkien opera, Yue opera, etc.
July 17, 2007
Sad farewell
I have been attending concerts by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra for years. I know only one musician in person but I can recognize many others by sight and I know some by names and something about them from write-ups in the programmes.
Today I visited a blog of Miko's friend and learnt that one of the SCO musicians has passed away recently - at just 53. A talented man - what a loss. Tian du ying cai. He is Mr Yeo Puay Hian. He played the Zhongruan and he was also a composer. I still remember him on stage. He used to sit on the right side of the conductor together with other musicians playing the plucked-string instruments like pipa and liuqin.
So although I only know this little about him, I feel a sense of loss. He will not be there on my future visits.
Today I visited a blog of Miko's friend and learnt that one of the SCO musicians has passed away recently - at just 53. A talented man - what a loss. Tian du ying cai. He is Mr Yeo Puay Hian. He played the Zhongruan and he was also a composer. I still remember him on stage. He used to sit on the right side of the conductor together with other musicians playing the plucked-string instruments like pipa and liuqin.
So although I only know this little about him, I feel a sense of loss. He will not be there on my future visits.
July 16, 2007
Dr Goh Keng Swee
I think it was in the mid 80s. It was Dr Goh who thought teachers' pay were too low and unattractive for such an important and stressful job. So he revised teachers salaries. Not just a few dollars or just for starting pay. He revamped the salary scales across the board making teaching more attractive. It boosted teachers' morale and thickened their wallets. So teachers are very grateful to Dr Goh.
He also felt that at that time civil servants were using pompous and flowery language in their correspondence. So he recommended them read the book 'The Complete Plain Word'.
This photo shows Dr Goh, then MP for Kreta Ayer, receiving a cheque from a cantonese opera artiste at a fund-raising show at Kreta Ayer People's Theatre.
小曲 - 浪子心声
He also felt that at that time civil servants were using pompous and flowery language in their correspondence. So he recommended them read the book 'The Complete Plain Word'.
This photo shows Dr Goh, then MP for Kreta Ayer, receiving a cheque from a cantonese opera artiste at a fund-raising show at Kreta Ayer People's Theatre.
小曲 - 浪子心声
July 15, 2007
Traffic offence
Almost forgot about this.....
One night, I think at least 10 months ago, I stopped at a police road block. I think they were looking out for drink drivers. Die, I thought, too late.
No, I didn't drink; only too late to put on the seat belt. The officer came to my side, looked in and was quick to notice this. He recorded my particulars and mentioned something about demerit points. I expected the TP to send me an offence notification. But till now I have not heard anything from them. I wonder if they have dropped the case since I have no other offence in their record or maybe they don't send notifications.
Does anyone know the penalties for (the driver) not wearing seat belts?
One night, I think at least 10 months ago, I stopped at a police road block. I think they were looking out for drink drivers. Die, I thought, too late.
No, I didn't drink; only too late to put on the seat belt. The officer came to my side, looked in and was quick to notice this. He recorded my particulars and mentioned something about demerit points. I expected the TP to send me an offence notification. But till now I have not heard anything from them. I wonder if they have dropped the case since I have no other offence in their record or maybe they don't send notifications.
Does anyone know the penalties for (the driver) not wearing seat belts?
July 13, 2007
Chinese opera stage
The pictures are from a book about Chinese opera history in Singapore. These are opera stages in the 50s/60s.
A quaint-looking opera stage.....
A unique juxtaposition - a cabaret songstress singing at a Chinese opera stage.
A quaint-looking opera stage.....
A unique juxtaposition - a cabaret songstress singing at a Chinese opera stage.
July 12, 2007
邵振環 Siu Chan Wan
The first artiste in the second row is Siu Chan Wan.
Chun See wrote about ‘disappearing wayang stages’ in his blog and there was mention of a Cantonese opera artiste Siu Chan Wan. People commented that he was very good. I have also heard about him but know little about him and I watched him perform once only.
Here are two comments from Chun See’s blog (Link at the column on the right.) -
1. I think Siew Chan Wan is almost 80 and still plays a young scholar in the local scene. No doubt he is good but to see him playing a young hero (with limited movements) is a heartache. I had a picture of him playing as a young lady (mah j) and mind you, he looks 'pretty'.
2. I recall that "Siew Chan Wan" was very popular, had numerous Cantonese opera fans, and commanded a huge fee then, and apparently must be booked months or a year in advance.
I looked up my ‘opera archive’ and found the poster above. He is from Malaysia. He came in 2002 to perform at the 145th anniversary of Pat Wor Wui Kun. He performed an excerpt with a HK artiste. That was the one I watched. I remember there was some funny part. At that time I thought he was in his late 60s. I could imagine in his younger days, with his good looks and good skills, he must be the idol of many opera fans.
But I also share the sentiment that an elderly opera artiste should not play the role of someone who is, say 45 years younger. There may be exceptions. Senior citizens taking up opera mainly for recreation or leisure are also exceptions.
Chun See wrote about ‘disappearing wayang stages’ in his blog and there was mention of a Cantonese opera artiste Siu Chan Wan. People commented that he was very good. I have also heard about him but know little about him and I watched him perform once only.
Here are two comments from Chun See’s blog (Link at the column on the right.) -
1. I think Siew Chan Wan is almost 80 and still plays a young scholar in the local scene. No doubt he is good but to see him playing a young hero (with limited movements) is a heartache. I had a picture of him playing as a young lady (mah j) and mind you, he looks 'pretty'.
2. I recall that "Siew Chan Wan" was very popular, had numerous Cantonese opera fans, and commanded a huge fee then, and apparently must be booked months or a year in advance.
I looked up my ‘opera archive’ and found the poster above. He is from Malaysia. He came in 2002 to perform at the 145th anniversary of Pat Wor Wui Kun. He performed an excerpt with a HK artiste. That was the one I watched. I remember there was some funny part. At that time I thought he was in his late 60s. I could imagine in his younger days, with his good looks and good skills, he must be the idol of many opera fans.
But I also share the sentiment that an elderly opera artiste should not play the role of someone who is, say 45 years younger. There may be exceptions. Senior citizens taking up opera mainly for recreation or leisure are also exceptions.
July 10, 2007
Annoyance
This is a nice video but every few minutes the producer's 'logo' floats across the screen and sometimes momentarily blocks out the performer's face. This logo is quite big somemore. Annoying and it spoils the video. Is there a way to remove it?
July 06, 2007
Where can you..........?
1...buy new books by kg...
2...enjoy using public toilets without door and flush...
3...listen to cantonese opera songs foc in the park...
4... see people idling and smoking at a public exercise station...
5...see swordswomen learning 'jade girl sword skills'...
6...still travel in buses with cables...
7...take a cruise along the Zhu Jiang...
8...buy imitation dvds at about 5% of the price of the originals...
I think you all know where already....right, it is Guangzhou.
2...enjoy using public toilets without door and flush...
3...listen to cantonese opera songs foc in the park...
4... see people idling and smoking at a public exercise station...
5...see swordswomen learning 'jade girl sword skills'...
6...still travel in buses with cables...
7...take a cruise along the Zhu Jiang...
8...buy imitation dvds at about 5% of the price of the originals...
I think you all know where already....right, it is Guangzhou.
July 04, 2007
Old pictures
My friend Victor, a compassionate man, blogged about an old woman rummaging through a rubbish bin at Geylang, Singapore. Then I remember I also took a picture of an old woman, so decided to pick some old pictures to show you...These pictures were taken in Hong Kong one December two or three years back.
Night time. This old woman was begging at one of the busiest districts in HK - Mongkok. It was December and the temperature at night can drop to as low as 13 degrees C. The picture was a bit blur because this camera has no anti-burr and I felt bad if I held it to focus for too long. Regrettably, I did not help the woman.
In contrast, on the same night and just tens of metres away, these flirtatious girls, promoting some products, were posing for photographers.
I have tried Hainanese chicken rice in HK. The rice was yellow in colour. The chicken skin was yellow and oily. Some blood in the chicken bones was still reddish. The chilly was more sweet than hot. And expensive - about HK$45 (S$9). Our HCR is much better.
This shop specializes in fish...fish balls, fish cakes, fish this and fish that. Not bad.
Night time. This old woman was begging at one of the busiest districts in HK - Mongkok. It was December and the temperature at night can drop to as low as 13 degrees C. The picture was a bit blur because this camera has no anti-burr and I felt bad if I held it to focus for too long. Regrettably, I did not help the woman.
In contrast, on the same night and just tens of metres away, these flirtatious girls, promoting some products, were posing for photographers.
I have tried Hainanese chicken rice in HK. The rice was yellow in colour. The chicken skin was yellow and oily. Some blood in the chicken bones was still reddish. The chilly was more sweet than hot. And expensive - about HK$45 (S$9). Our HCR is much better.
This shop specializes in fish...fish balls, fish cakes, fish this and fish that. Not bad.
July 02, 2007
PM on a Tiger
PM Lee on a Tiger Airways flight to Hanoi. Picture from Tiger Tales, in-flight magazine, May/June/July issue.
About 10 years ago, after the plane had landed and was taxiing on the runway, you could see people getting up and trying to get down their luggage. Nowadays you don't see this anymore. Maybe people are more experienced.
Somehow I thought of the first time I tried to get off a moving bus before it stopped completely at the bus-stop. At that time the buses had no doors. I fell and my schoolbag also dropped down and some books fell out. Luckily I had only some bruises, nothing serious.
Soon I learnt that you have to run forward a short distance to ease off the momentum. How fast and how far you run depends on the speed of the bus. This is something to do with Newton's law about a body in motion.
Later I could do that quite well and I quite enjoyed this little 'thrill'.
About 10 years ago, after the plane had landed and was taxiing on the runway, you could see people getting up and trying to get down their luggage. Nowadays you don't see this anymore. Maybe people are more experienced.
Somehow I thought of the first time I tried to get off a moving bus before it stopped completely at the bus-stop. At that time the buses had no doors. I fell and my schoolbag also dropped down and some books fell out. Luckily I had only some bruises, nothing serious.
Soon I learnt that you have to run forward a short distance to ease off the momentum. How fast and how far you run depends on the speed of the bus. This is something to do with Newton's law about a body in motion.
Later I could do that quite well and I quite enjoyed this little 'thrill'.
June 30, 2007
Plain stars
You see them on stage as prince, princess, warrior, scholar, beauty, dancer, maid, soldier.... Here you see them as you would see them on the street. Pictures taken at Kreta Ayer People's Theatre in June 2007. From top:
1.曾慧 2.歐凱明 3.黄伟坤 4.姚志強 5.郑咏梅 6.赵震宇(男花旦) 7.楊芬 8.洪林富
1.曾慧 2.歐凱明 3.黄伟坤 4.姚志強 5.郑咏梅 6.赵震宇(男花旦) 7.楊芬 8.洪林富
June 26, 2007
June 17, 2007
June 15, 2007
Camera
The photos in the last 4 posts were taken with my new camera. Actually I had no intention of buying a camera yet.
About two weeks ago, before the GSS started, I was at a big store to look at some LCD TV. The tv set at home is over 5 years old and has started to give problems. Sometimes the picture goes off with only the sound on. Then you have to switch off, wait for a while and switch on again. If lucky it will be ok; if not you have to try again.
After looking at the tv sets on display I walked to the camera section. "Xian sheng, nin hao", the salesgirl greeted me with a smile. And I had a conversation with her.
She recommended one camera "offer for this week only, got free gifts some more....."
"An ideal camera for holiday, very slim, can take 200 over photos with just one charging; also don't have to worry about shaky hands, got image stabilizer....."
"See, zoom also can....."
"Very popular, only a few left....."
"O, you so lucky, the colour you like, only one left".
Next I found myself going home with a camera. It wasn't even the brand I had in mind. If I had gone shopping for a camera, I would be looking at Sony or Panasonic.
About two weeks ago, before the GSS started, I was at a big store to look at some LCD TV. The tv set at home is over 5 years old and has started to give problems. Sometimes the picture goes off with only the sound on. Then you have to switch off, wait for a while and switch on again. If lucky it will be ok; if not you have to try again.
After looking at the tv sets on display I walked to the camera section. "Xian sheng, nin hao", the salesgirl greeted me with a smile. And I had a conversation with her.
She recommended one camera "offer for this week only, got free gifts some more....."
"An ideal camera for holiday, very slim, can take 200 over photos with just one charging; also don't have to worry about shaky hands, got image stabilizer....."
"See, zoom also can....."
"Very popular, only a few left....."
"O, you so lucky, the colour you like, only one left".
Next I found myself going home with a camera. It wasn't even the brand I had in mind. If I had gone shopping for a camera, I would be looking at Sony or Panasonic.
June 14, 2007
Backstage
A picture is worth a thousand words, so here are six thousands words....
Wong Wai Kuan dresses up as Tang Ming Huang (2nd night)...
Very messy, right?
A young star, Yeong Fen...
Yew Chee Keong as Wong Fei Fu...
Wong Wai Kuan dresses up as Tang Ming Huang (2nd night)...
Very messy, right?
A young star, Yeong Fen...
Yew Chee Keong as Wong Fei Fu...
June 13, 2007
Opera excerpts night
on 10 June 2007
from left: 赵震宇(男花旦), 郑咏梅, 洪海, 黄伟坤, 曾慧, 梁玉城
These are just my personal, non-professional views:
1. The nan huadan (male who performs as female) performed a song and dance Tian Nu San Hua. It was reported that he ventured into cantonese opera only two years ago. I think the reviews over-rated his voice and singing. I feel his voice and singing lacks the feminine flair and softness.
2. Cheng Wing Mui and Hong Hoi performed 3 excerpts. Wing Mui is an experienced artiste, sings well and can still perform difficult martial moves and action despite her age. Hong Hoi is comparatively new and younger. They both played their parts well. But the shows did not appeal.
In the first excerpt the part where the two artistes groped about and fought each other in the darkness was a bit too long and could be boring. The other two shows lack certain factors, I think it was the atmosphere and feelings. A lady behind me said during their third excerpt that they seemed to have 'no mood'.
3. Wong Wai Kuan and Zeng Wai performed 2 excerpts on Zhao Zi Long. I have seen Aw Kai Meng and Pang Zhi Quan as Zhao Zi Long and both did splendidly. Similarly Wai Kuan also did the role well, bringing to life the formidable warrior with his dominating personality.
from left: 赵震宇(男花旦), 郑咏梅, 洪海, 黄伟坤, 曾慧, 梁玉城
These are just my personal, non-professional views:
1. The nan huadan (male who performs as female) performed a song and dance Tian Nu San Hua. It was reported that he ventured into cantonese opera only two years ago. I think the reviews over-rated his voice and singing. I feel his voice and singing lacks the feminine flair and softness.
2. Cheng Wing Mui and Hong Hoi performed 3 excerpts. Wing Mui is an experienced artiste, sings well and can still perform difficult martial moves and action despite her age. Hong Hoi is comparatively new and younger. They both played their parts well. But the shows did not appeal.
In the first excerpt the part where the two artistes groped about and fought each other in the darkness was a bit too long and could be boring. The other two shows lack certain factors, I think it was the atmosphere and feelings. A lady behind me said during their third excerpt that they seemed to have 'no mood'.
3. Wong Wai Kuan and Zeng Wai performed 2 excerpts on Zhao Zi Long. I have seen Aw Kai Meng and Pang Zhi Quan as Zhao Zi Long and both did splendidly. Similarly Wai Kuan also did the role well, bringing to life the formidable warrior with his dominating personality.
June 12, 2007
唐宮綺夢
The opera on the second night - a well-known opera about Emperor Tang Ming Huang and the beauty Yang Guifei. Five of the scenes are popular opera excepts by themselves. Beautiful songs and costumes are part of the attractions of this show.
The lead sheng and the lead dan are Wong Wai Kuan and Zeng Wai.
黄伟坤 as 唐明皇, Tang Ming Huang
曾慧 as 楊貴妃, Yang Gui Fei
楊小秋 as 梅妃, Mei Fei
陳敏雄 as 歌姬, imperial songstress
The lead sheng and the lead dan are Wong Wai Kuan and Zeng Wai.
黄伟坤 as 唐明皇, Tang Ming Huang
曾慧 as 楊貴妃, Yang Gui Fei
楊小秋 as 梅妃, Mei Fei
陳敏雄 as 歌姬, imperial songstress
June 11, 2007
花槍奇緣
This was the opera by the Hong Dou Cantonese Opera Troupe on the opening night of its 10-day-performance at the Kreta Ayer People's Theatre.
This is a nice simple story with clear-cut good and bad characters, which is characteristic of most chinese operas. There are no sly scheming characters.
Aw Kai Meng, the lead sheng, is the strong manly type with a matching strong voice. He is particularly suitable for roles like Zhao Zi Long and Wu Song. But Aw Kai Meng is a good actor, he performs well in other roles too.
Zeng Wai was the lead hua dan. Previously I have written quite a lot about her already. So I have nothing much to add except that I am glad she has slimmed down.
This is Aw Kai Meng.....
This is a nice simple story with clear-cut good and bad characters, which is characteristic of most chinese operas. There are no sly scheming characters.
Aw Kai Meng, the lead sheng, is the strong manly type with a matching strong voice. He is particularly suitable for roles like Zhao Zi Long and Wu Song. But Aw Kai Meng is a good actor, he performs well in other roles too.
Zeng Wai was the lead hua dan. Previously I have written quite a lot about her already. So I have nothing much to add except that I am glad she has slimmed down.
This is Aw Kai Meng.....
June 10, 2007
at Kreta Ayer People's Theatre
These people were queuing up to buy tickets for the cantonese opera shows currently on at KAPT. The Q was not long but was moving slowly because opera fans are quite picky.
Some aunties in the Q took quite long to choose their seats, a few discussing with their friends hanging around and one called up her friend to ask if she wanted other seats as the seats they had wanted were not available. Shouldn't this be expected and decided before she queued?
Then got one lady came back and wanted to change seats because she said the seats were 'not good'. Sorry, the ticket girl said, cannot. Right, I say, cannot entertain such things.
Don't be surprised you have to wait for 30 min even if you are no 10 in the Q.
These are some of the 'flower stands' sent by fans and well-wishers. Anyone knows if there is any word for these 'flower stands' or how much one cost.
Some aunties in the Q took quite long to choose their seats, a few discussing with their friends hanging around and one called up her friend to ask if she wanted other seats as the seats they had wanted were not available. Shouldn't this be expected and decided before she queued?
Then got one lady came back and wanted to change seats because she said the seats were 'not good'. Sorry, the ticket girl said, cannot. Right, I say, cannot entertain such things.
Don't be surprised you have to wait for 30 min even if you are no 10 in the Q.
These are some of the 'flower stands' sent by fans and well-wishers. Anyone knows if there is any word for these 'flower stands' or how much one cost.
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