YEIN Pah Yuen @ Bai Yan 阎佰元@白言
Performing Arts in Singapore (Theatre/Drama),
Accession Number 000578
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 24
Total Reels
- Tan Beng Luan (R1-7), Lye Soo Choon赖素春 (R8-24)
Interviewer
- 10:59:59
Total Running Time
- Mandarin
Language
Copyright Notice
All rights to the recordings and transcripts on this website, including the rights to copy, publish, broadcast and perform, are reserved. Written permission is required for any use. If you have any queries, please contact nas@nlb.gov.sg
Reel/Disc 1 of 24
Metadata
- 21 Jun 1985
Recording Date
- 00:29:14
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Personal background. Joined Silver Moon Dance Troupe at age of 17. Performed in provinces in China, then in Siam and Malaya. While performing in Siam, Marco Polo Bridge incident occurred. Troupe contributed one day's takings to China Relief Fund organisation in each Malayan state. Before Japanese invasion of Singapore, troupe members employed by Shaw Organisation. Stayed in dormitories while performing at Great World Amusement Park.
Remarks
Bai Yan's collections of newspaper cutting, photos, etc (3 folders) is kept in Chinese Library of National University of Spore.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 2 of 24
Metadata
- 21 Jun 1985
Recording Date
- 00:28:37
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
When war was approaching, Silver Moon Dance Troupe performed in Li Chun Yuan for a month. Troupe members usually performed anti-Japanese drama in Great World Amusement Park. Shaw Organisation did not interfere in their choice of programme. Also participated in street drama. How he learnt of British surrender. Told to assemble at Jalan Besar. Helpful residents there prepared porridge for those without food.
Remarks
Bai Yan's collections of newspaper cutting, photos, etc (3 folders) is kept in Chinese Library of National University of Spore.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 3 of 24
Metadata
- 21 Jun 1985
Recording Date
- 00:29:25
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
What he saw during mass screening at Jalan Besar. Japanese requested dance troupe to perform at Victoria Theatre. Members subsequently performed at Majestic Cinema. Received a dollar a day. Troupe members decided to leave when told to participate in Japanese play, Momotaro. Went to Seremban and then Penang. Troupe changed name to Golden Star Dance Troupe. Saw Chinese helping Australian prisoners-of-war (POWs) while he was in Singapore.
Remarks
Bai Yan's collections of newspaper cutting, photos, etc (3 folders) is kept in Chinese Library of National University of Spore.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 4 of 24
Metadata
- 2 Jul 1985
Recording Date
- 00:30:11
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Why he did not want to participate in Japanese play. Not all Silver Moon Dance troupe members left for Malaya during Japanese Occupation. Performed in amusement park in Penang. Golden Star Dance Troupe under supervision of Publicity Section (Japanese Administration) in Penang. Publicity Section rewarded troupe members with rice after each performance. Japanese encouraged troupe members to learn Japanese language. Returned to Singapore after Japanese surrender.
Remarks
Bai Yan's collections of newspaper cutting, photos, etc (3 folders) is kept in Chinese Library of National University of Spore.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 5 of 24
Metadata
- 2 Jul 1985
Recording Date
- 00:30:00
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Publicity Section in Penang told dance troupe to encourage locals to grow more food. Troupe's encounters with Communist guerillas in Ipoh. Japanese conducted mass screening in Ipoh's amusement park. Japanese discovered troupe members in backstage of cinema. They were not involved in screening operation. After Japanese left, troupe resumed their work. Troupe leader introduced modern play into their programme. How modern play became popular.
Remarks
Bai Yan's collections of newspaper cutting, photos, etc (3 folders) is kept in Chinese Library of National University of Spore.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 6 of 24
Metadata
- 2 Jul 1985
Recording Date
- 00:30:11
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Remained in Malaya for three-and-a-half years during Japanese Occupation. Made friends with Japanese in Penang. Saw Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA) members in Ipoh when Japanese surrendered. Returned to Singapore. Golden Star Dance Troupe disbanded. Why troupe did not return to Singapore during Japanese rule. Japanese Occupation had little effect on him. Married in Penang during Japanese rule.
Remarks
Bai Yan's collections of newspaper cutting, photos, etc (3 folders) is kept in Chinese Library of National University of Spore.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 7 of 24
Metadata
- 2 Jul 1985
Recording Date
- 00:03:54
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Their dance instructor Lei Zhirong choreographed dances with classical music. Their dances received favourable review from music critic.
Remarks
Bai Yan's collections of newspaper cutting, photos, etc (3 folders) is kept in Chinese Library of National University of Spore.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 8 of 24
Metadata
- 8 Jan 2004
Recording Date
- 00:29:07
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Personal background. Born in Wuhan, China. Father was stage set dresser. Amusement park in Wuhan. Description of his father's work. Attended primary school on own accord. Subjects he studied, good in mathematics. Description of school premises. Performed cross talk in school. Origins of 'Wen Ming Xi' (modern play). Famous 'Wen Ming Xi', 'The 13 Courts of Qing Dynasty' also known as 'Ke Tou Xi' (Kow-tow Play). No scripts, performers depended on 'mu biao' (scene outline). Contents of 'Wen Ming Xi". Description of patriotic game. Changes in 'Wen Ming Xi'.
Remarks
Bai Yan's collections of newspaper cutting, photos, etc (3 folders) is kept in Chinese Library of National University of Spore.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 9 of 24
Metadata
- 8 Jan 2004
Recording Date
- 00:30:11
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Why people liked to watch 'Wen Ming Xi' (modern play). Examples of technical terms used during performance. Changing of Peking opera (Beijing Opera) to 'Wen Ming Xi', stylised movements retained. Described 'The 13 Courts of Qing Dynasty'. How he joined performing troupe. Description of 'Divorced Monk' and 'Wu Song' (dramas). Started as stage set dresser in performing troupe without training. Other occupations prior to being professional entertainer.
Remarks
Bai Yan's collections of newspaper cutting, photos, etc (3 folders) is kept in Chinese Library of National University of Spore.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 10 of 24
Metadata
- 8 Jan 2004
Recording Date
- 00:28:48
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee's other occupations besides professional entertainer. Started as general worker in Silver Moon Dance Troupe. Items that troupe members brought when they travelled to different places. Talented person will be discovered and nurtured. Comparing stage setting in the past and present. Route travelled by Silver Moon Dance Troupe from Changsha, China to Hong Kong. Description of life on ship from Hong Kong to Siam (Thailand) in late 30s. Performing in Siam. 'Shu Pan Xue', play adopted from Burma. Director of the troupe.
Remarks
Bai Yan's collections of newspaper cutting, photos, etc (3 folders) is kept in Chinese Library of National University of Spore.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
