I discover that I wrote a post about Chinese Theatre Circle's Chinese Opera Tea-house (Smith Street) more than 12 years ago. I reproduce the whole post below. If you are a regular visitor to the Tea-house, you may notice changes during these long years.
This was written in November 2000 .......
On Saturday afternoon the charge is $5 per head and tea is served. You can also order other drinks, including beer. The tea comes in a porcelain pot and small porcelain cups. For a complete set which includes tea, tim-sum and a dessert, the cost is $12.80.
The hall is rectangular. Though small, it is aesthetic and cheery. There are 2 TV sets in front and one at the back. (Singing is the karaoke-type and is free.) The walls are decorated with opera costumes and masks and Chinese calligraphies. There is a large wooden model of a type of Chinese sailing-boat at the front where the singer's platform is and there are two smaller ones at the back above the entrance. There is even a model of a roadside opera stage!
You can sing solo, with your partner or request your CTC idol to sing with you if the artiste is there. If you can't sing or don't feel like singing you can just sip your tea, watch and listen to the others.
That afternoon the regulars, a group of elderly ladies and a few men, were there. CTC's regular artistes are Hoi Siong, Frances Wong, Loh Siew Ling and Chan Kwai Lin.
There is a girl from Zhejiang. Her name is Dawn. She mans the SISTIC counter and helps to serve customers.
April 29, 2013
April 22, 2013
Preservation of Chinese opera
The scanned article below is from Lian He Zao Bao's edition on 1 April 2013. It is about Mr Ferdinand de Bakker, a founder of Preservation of Chinese Opera (PCO). The PCO is an initiative to preserve the culture and heritage of Chinese opera in Singapore and to bring it to the next generation. Mr Ferdinand is from Holland and his wife is a Singaporean.
Preserving Chinese opera is a formidable task. In Singapore, there are three main opera dialect groups (Hokkien, Teochew and Cantonese) and a few other smaller groups (Peking opera, Yue opera and Hainanese opera). Preserving these Chinese operas means not only you need to promote them but also to ensure there are young people passionate enough to want to learn to perform. And learning to be a competent performer is a long dedicated process which requires commitment and perseverance.
I believe the various opera groups and organizations have all along been promoting Chinese opera and trying to attract young people to their shows and activities, and their leaders have been passing on their skills and passion to the younger ones who wish to learn.
Preserving Chinese opera is a formidable task. In Singapore, there are three main opera dialect groups (Hokkien, Teochew and Cantonese) and a few other smaller groups (Peking opera, Yue opera and Hainanese opera). Preserving these Chinese operas means not only you need to promote them but also to ensure there are young people passionate enough to want to learn to perform. And learning to be a competent performer is a long dedicated process which requires commitment and perseverance.
I believe the various opera groups and organizations have all along been promoting Chinese opera and trying to attract young people to their shows and activities, and their leaders have been passing on their skills and passion to the younger ones who wish to learn.
April 15, 2013
梁兆明
Someone wondered in FB/Cantonese opera if Leong Siu Meng (梁兆明) would be performing in Singapore. I was wondering if Siu Meng is on FB, so I looked for 梁兆明. There are a few people with this name but they are not the one I was looking for.
Later I found him under the name Siuming Leung ...
There isn't much news at his FB page. Does anyone know if Siu Ming will be performing in Singapore?
周瑜归天 - 梁兆明, 黃燕
There isn't much news at his FB page. Does anyone know if Siu Ming will be performing in Singapore?
周瑜归天 - 梁兆明, 黃燕
April 08, 2013
mirror view
I was driving along a road. I looked at the rear view mirror. There was a van behind me. There was a message on its front. As I had to concentrate on the road I did not have enough time to make out what the message was. One of the words I could make out was 'God'. So I guess it was something from the Bible.
When you look at a mirror, the words are laterally inverted. It is not the same as just reversing the letters. For example if you reversed the letters in 'cantonese opera', it would look like this ... arepo esenotnac .
However, if you look at its image in a plain mirror, it would be like this:
This is called lateral inversion.
I remember studying about lateral inversion when I was in lower secondary. I found it quite fascinating.
Now, look at this photo. Where is the mole? It is on his left cheek. But if this photo was the image in a mirror, then the mole is actually on his right cheek.
Another one ... I love YAM? Again if this photo was taken off a mirror, then it is I love MAY.
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When does a right-handed man become a left-handed man?
When you look at him in a mirror using his hand to write.
When you look at a mirror, the words are laterally inverted. It is not the same as just reversing the letters. For example if you reversed the letters in 'cantonese opera', it would look like this ... arepo esenotnac .
However, if you look at its image in a plain mirror, it would be like this:
I remember studying about lateral inversion when I was in lower secondary. I found it quite fascinating.
Now, look at this photo. Where is the mole? It is on his left cheek. But if this photo was the image in a mirror, then the mole is actually on his right cheek.
Another one ... I love YAM? Again if this photo was taken off a mirror, then it is I love MAY.
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When does a right-handed man become a left-handed man?
When you look at him in a mirror using his hand to write.
April 01, 2013
shopping
There are two aspects to shopping. One is go shopping knowing exactly what things you want to buy (for example a Samsung WF-30023G front-load washer) or shopping for things that you need regularly (sugar for example). The other aspect is to go shopping trying to choose what you think best suit your need, a dress for example.
You know, I dislike doing the second aspect of shopping.
I have been thinking of replacing my old compact camera which is not working well. I am thinking of one with a higher zoom. Then I saw an advertisement of an Olympus with a 24x zoom. Later I came across other cameras like Nikon, Fuji, Canon, Samsung and Casio which also have high zooms. Some looks quite bulky. I guess each one has its own good points.
For me, more choices means spending more time trying to pick a camera. So I think the simplest thing to do is to go to a shop, look at a few cameras with a high zoom and see which one appears to me in terms of look and price.
Anyone got any suggestion or recommendation?
You know, I dislike doing the second aspect of shopping.
I have been thinking of replacing my old compact camera which is not working well. I am thinking of one with a higher zoom. Then I saw an advertisement of an Olympus with a 24x zoom. Later I came across other cameras like Nikon, Fuji, Canon, Samsung and Casio which also have high zooms. Some looks quite bulky. I guess each one has its own good points.
For me, more choices means spending more time trying to pick a camera. So I think the simplest thing to do is to go to a shop, look at a few cameras with a high zoom and see which one appears to me in terms of look and price.
Anyone got any suggestion or recommendation?
March 25, 2013
粵韻傳情 行善积德
It was a two-night cantonese opera performance to raise fund for the Singapore Buddhist Free Clinic. The performers were from the Guangdong Cantonese Opera First Troupe with over 60 members (including musicians, make-up and dressing artistes and other backstage helpers).
There were also guest artistes Ngai Wai Ying, Lai Chun Sing and Soh Choon Mui.
I watched only the show on the first night. I have not seen Soh Choon Mui for a long time. She performed an excerpt with Lum Kar Boh. I had no chance to take photos, so I just show you some pages from the souvenir magazine.
The programmes
The leader of the orchestra
The performers
Two of the excerpts
The compere (right) is a programme presenter at a China television station. The other artiste is Jeong Mun Tuin.
There were also guest artistes Ngai Wai Ying, Lai Chun Sing and Soh Choon Mui.
I watched only the show on the first night. I have not seen Soh Choon Mui for a long time. She performed an excerpt with Lum Kar Boh. I had no chance to take photos, so I just show you some pages from the souvenir magazine.
The programmes
Two of the excerpts
The compere (right) is a programme presenter at a China television station. The other artiste is Jeong Mun Tuin.
March 20, 2013
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March 14, 2013
multi-racial 六國大封相
Street opera at Whampoa
六國大封相
The third character from the left is an Indian. The characters here do not have to say anything; they also do not have much to do.
The Indian and the Malay man in blue also performed the acrobatic parts. They had to do somersaults and lead the 'horses'.
The lead Sheng and Dan 譚穎論, 紫伶秋
六國大封相
The third character from the left is an Indian. The characters here do not have to say anything; they also do not have much to do.
The Indian and the Malay man in blue also performed the acrobatic parts. They had to do somersaults and lead the 'horses'.
The lead Sheng and Dan 譚穎論, 紫伶秋
March 07, 2013
words can heal
When I was in Pre-U, once I asked my Maths teacher how I fared in the Applied Maths paper in the exams. He said ' Don't worry. You have done well '. These were reassuring words; they put me at ease.
Years ago I got some rashes on my body and I went to see the doctor. After some examination and questions, he said, 'Not to worry. Nothing serious.'. Again, just a few words but they were comforting. I could almost feel the healing has started.
However, words can also hurt us whether the person saying them is intentional or not. We cannot control what people say. We also cannot control our emotions but I believe we can learn to manage our emotions so as to let the good ones flourish and the bad ones dissipate.
Years ago I got some rashes on my body and I went to see the doctor. After some examination and questions, he said, 'Not to worry. Nothing serious.'. Again, just a few words but they were comforting. I could almost feel the healing has started.
However, words can also hurt us whether the person saying them is intentional or not. We cannot control what people say. We also cannot control our emotions but I believe we can learn to manage our emotions so as to let the good ones flourish and the bad ones dissipate.
February 28, 2013
February 22, 2013
commendable act
One morning a few days ago I took a lift in my block to go down. As I entered the lift I saw a piece of tissue paper at one corner on the floor. Then the door closed and the lift started to go down.
It stopped at a lower floor. The door opened and an elderly man who runs a stall at the wet market downstairs pushed in a trolley stacked with some goods. I greeted him happy new year and he returned the greeting.
He saw the tissue paper and did something I didn't expect him to. He picked up the tissue and placed it on top of one of the boxes on his trolley as if it was the natural thing to do.
I wanted to say something to show appreciation of his thoughtful act. Before I could think of what to say during that few seconds, the lift reached ground level and we went out.
It stopped at a lower floor. The door opened and an elderly man who runs a stall at the wet market downstairs pushed in a trolley stacked with some goods. I greeted him happy new year and he returned the greeting.
He saw the tissue paper and did something I didn't expect him to. He picked up the tissue and placed it on top of one of the boxes on his trolley as if it was the natural thing to do.
I wanted to say something to show appreciation of his thoughtful act. Before I could think of what to say during that few seconds, the lift reached ground level and we went out.
February 15, 2013
大地回春
The artistes in the pictures in the video are Singapore Cantonese opera performers.
There are 34 of them.
There are 34 of them.
February 12, 2013
Miscellaneous 2
Which of these two statements sound stronger to you?
' I think he is innocent.' or 'I believe he is innocent.'
For myself believe is stronger than think because 'believe' is based on faith rather than on reasons; just like you believe in God.
I think your feelings towards Chinese New Year are not the same when you were 10 years old, 30 years, 50 years or later when you are 70, assuming you are 50 something now. This is because we look at things in different ways as we mature.
We should not be too easily upset or annoyed by inconvenience and discomfort. When I was a child there were floods in my area during heavy rains. I remember we also had water rationing during droughts though it was rare. My parents and neighbours took these as part and parcel of life, sometimes cursing the bad or dry weather. As a child I didn't mind the floods and not bathing for a day was no big deal.
In our daily life we may face inconvenience and discomfort, like having to walk a long distance to a bus-stop or the air con in our office is out of order. Learning to accept that such things do occur will make our life more pleasant. We should not let them make us unhappy or affect our job.
' I think he is innocent.' or 'I believe he is innocent.'
For myself believe is stronger than think because 'believe' is based on faith rather than on reasons; just like you believe in God.
I think your feelings towards Chinese New Year are not the same when you were 10 years old, 30 years, 50 years or later when you are 70, assuming you are 50 something now. This is because we look at things in different ways as we mature.
We should not be too easily upset or annoyed by inconvenience and discomfort. When I was a child there were floods in my area during heavy rains. I remember we also had water rationing during droughts though it was rare. My parents and neighbours took these as part and parcel of life, sometimes cursing the bad or dry weather. As a child I didn't mind the floods and not bathing for a day was no big deal.
In our daily life we may face inconvenience and discomfort, like having to walk a long distance to a bus-stop or the air con in our office is out of order. Learning to accept that such things do occur will make our life more pleasant. We should not let them make us unhappy or affect our job.
February 04, 2013
Miscellaneous
Several years ago I bought an LG DVD player. It was the first time I bought an LG product. There were glitches a few weeks after using it, not serious ones but recurring ones which were annoying. Because of this experience, I have no intention of buying other LG products. Perhaps this is discrimination. Maybe I will reconsider if friends or visitors to this blog tell me they have used LG products and highly recommend them. Anyone of you?
I feel that many things that we like or dislike, for example an opera video on Youtube, are also favouritism and discrimination. Sometimes there are no good reasons for it.
I believe the mother of the two kids who were killed in the traffic accident also blames herself for allowing the older kid to go and fetch the younger kid on a bicycle. Imagine two young kids on a bicycle on a busy road. I think they were too young to be aware of the danger and young kids can be playful. They could easily lose their balance and fall.
January 29, 2013
長貧難顧
長貧難顧 - This Chinese saying means something like this: You have a friend or relative who is poor. He borrows money from you quite regularly. He doesn't have a job and has no savings. Although you don't mind helping, you know you cannot do it indefinitely.
I have a similar experience and this Chinese phrase pops up.This friend had borrowed money, not small sums, from me a few times already and I had no hesitation lending him each time because I trust him. He had paid me back only the first loan. However, recently he increased the amount. Now I am wondering whether I have been lending him money too readily in the past. I also wonder if he borrows from his other friends too.
I think I will tell him nicely that he cannot depend on me every time. I hope he won't be offended.
I have a similar experience and this Chinese phrase pops up.This friend had borrowed money, not small sums, from me a few times already and I had no hesitation lending him each time because I trust him. He had paid me back only the first loan. However, recently he increased the amount. Now I am wondering whether I have been lending him money too readily in the past. I also wonder if he borrows from his other friends too.
I think I will tell him nicely that he cannot depend on me every time. I hope he won't be offended.
January 25, 2013
spring cleaning
After hibernating for 12 years, the Snake will soon slither into our home with a big hiss. Have you started your spring cleaning?
In the old days, the family would pick a day or two and everyone would help out. From the floor to the ceiling, every space and corner would be cleaned. Every square cm of the floor would be scrubbed. Old and broken things would be discarded.
Nowadays I think it would probably be the job of the wife and/or maid with some help from the husband and children. It would also not be a big affair.
Well, I have already made a start - clearing and tidying things on my table and in the drawers and cupboards. Quite amazing that I had so many things to throw away.
I guess people are like that. They put things aside thinking they would need them in future or they are reluctant to throw away things they are nostalgic about and after 10 years the things are still there gathering dust. And so things accumulate.
In the old days, the family would pick a day or two and everyone would help out. From the floor to the ceiling, every space and corner would be cleaned. Every square cm of the floor would be scrubbed. Old and broken things would be discarded.
Nowadays I think it would probably be the job of the wife and/or maid with some help from the husband and children. It would also not be a big affair.
Well, I have already made a start - clearing and tidying things on my table and in the drawers and cupboards. Quite amazing that I had so many things to throw away.
I guess people are like that. They put things aside thinking they would need them in future or they are reluctant to throw away things they are nostalgic about and after 10 years the things are still there gathering dust. And so things accumulate.
January 21, 2013
January 16, 2013
武則天, 王羽, 葉玉卿
Wu Ze Tian, the woman emperor of China, was a powerful woman. She could control almost everything on Earth but she couldn't control her own biological clock. Like all mortal beings, she grew old and died.
Actually I was looking at some pictures of Wang Yu, the kung-fu star in old mandarin movies and Yip Yook Heng, the actress in adult-rated movies many years back.
This is Wang Yu in his prime years and in recent years when he is about 70. The One-armed Swordsman was one of his well-known movies.
This is Yip Yook Heng in her prime years and when she is 46 at which she made a come-back after having retired for 15 years. Pretty woman was one of her movies.
There is a site called In 20 years - http://in20years.com/ You can upload a photo of yourself and it can show you how you will look in 20 years' time. I was trying out with Yip's photo (below) but it was not working. If you try and it can work, please send me a photo of Yip in 20 years.
Actually I was looking at some pictures of Wang Yu, the kung-fu star in old mandarin movies and Yip Yook Heng, the actress in adult-rated movies many years back.
This is Wang Yu in his prime years and in recent years when he is about 70. The One-armed Swordsman was one of his well-known movies.
This is Yip Yook Heng in her prime years and when she is 46 at which she made a come-back after having retired for 15 years. Pretty woman was one of her movies.
January 12, 2013
January 09, 2013
blink
I used to say 'blink your eyes'. Actually just blink is enough because blink means close and open your eyes quickly. Anyway, you can blink only your eyes, you cannot blink any other thing. However, I think saying blink your eyes is also not wrong.
I think most of us blink both eyes together. But some people can just blink one eye. Some can blink the left eye, some the right eye and some can blink the left eye or the right eye. A blink is not the same as a wink.
Last week I read two articles which said being slightly overweight is not a bad thing, even better than having the recommended weight. Actually I don't mind a little overweight, I only don't like a bulging tummy. But my friend said 'you look more like a boss with some stomach, most bosses have some stomach'.
Well, I have only targeted to reduce the waist a little; I didn't target to have a flat tummy.
I think most of us blink both eyes together. But some people can just blink one eye. Some can blink the left eye, some the right eye and some can blink the left eye or the right eye. A blink is not the same as a wink.
Last week I read two articles which said being slightly overweight is not a bad thing, even better than having the recommended weight. Actually I don't mind a little overweight, I only don't like a bulging tummy. But my friend said 'you look more like a boss with some stomach, most bosses have some stomach'.
Well, I have only targeted to reduce the waist a little; I didn't target to have a flat tummy.
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