CHOO Kui Chao @ Zhu Xu 朱绪
Performing Arts in Singapore (Theatre/Drama),
Accession Number 000856
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 32
Total Reels
- Tan Beng Luan
Interviewer
- 15:34:10
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 32
Metadata
- 9 Dec 1987
Recording Date
- 00:29:04
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Personal history. Family background. Nature of family business in China. Granduncle was first to seek fortune in Singapore. Circumstances leading to his leaving Quanzhou for Singapore in 1930. Family upbringing. Interest in drama began at age of eight. Father died when he was two. Arrival in Singapore. Offered teaching post in Dan Zhao School, founded by Chao Ann Association.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 32
Metadata
- 9 Dec 1987
Recording Date
- 00:29:50
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Monthly salary was $25. Boarded in school. Unhappy encounter with Inspector of School when teaching at Kwong Yong School. Why he left Dan Zhao School after two years. Mandarin was medium of teaching instruction. Taught in Industrial and Commercial Continuation School, where granduncle was one of founders. Monthly salary of $50. Circumstances leading to his resignation.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 32
Metadata
- 12 Dec 1987
Recording Date
- 00:28:20
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Taught at Industrial and Commercial Continuation School for 1 years. Teaching stint in Senai in 1939. Married in 1938. Background of Industrial and Commercial Continuation School. School discipline. Objective of family visits to students' home. Reasons for forming Malayan Chinese Itinerant Drama Troupe. Returned to Singapore after six months of performance in Malayan states in 1938. Involvement in play "Sunrise" put up by Amateur Drama Group.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 32
Metadata
- 12 Dec 1987
Recording Date
- 00:29:28
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Japanese invasion of Singapore. Mass screening operation at Tiong Bahru. Livelihood during Japanese Occupation days. Event leading to his arrest and detention in 1943 for involvement in anti-Japanese resistance movement. Locked up at Tank Road cell. Interrogation. Tortured with eight torture implements in a day. Japanese military forced him to name collaborators. Recalled seeing two women in another lock-up. Released after four months.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 32
Metadata
- 12 Dec 1987
Recording Date
- 00:29:14
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Knew of some friends who were Japanese informers. Described torture implements inflicted on him. High standard of hygiene in lock-up. Life in lock-up.General impression of Japanese military soldiers he encountered. How he received news about progress of war. Granduncle suffered from stroke upon learning of his detention. Unsuccessful attempt at tracking down woman who betrayed him to Japanese.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 32
Metadata
- 14 Dec 1987
Recording Date
- 00:29:34
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Became news reporter for New Democratic Daily, a progressive paper. Called up by British military for alleged false reporting. Why New Democratic Daily wound up. Took over by Nanqiao Daily. Assisted in producing three Chinese movies distributed by Shaw Organisation. Names of cast. Misunderstanding with Runme Shaw's nephew. Taught at Ai Tong School. Salary and allowances. Teaching experience at Ai Tong School.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 32
Metadata
- 14 Dec 1987
Recording Date
- 00:29:10
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
How he dealt with students who joined street societies. Personally seek out leaders of secret societies to dissuade them from luring students. Background of students who were leaders of secret societies. Dedication of teachers. How school was run. He was in charge of Children's Drama Society. How he motivated a delinquent student to turn over new leaf. Believed in teaching by example to earn students' respect.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 32
Metadata
- 14 Dec 1987
Recording Date
- 00:29:28
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His knowledge of secret society members from 108 triad group. Teachers in Ai Tong School made own teaching aids. Exhibitions on teaching aids in 1965. Objective of screening movies to students and their parents once a week. Teachers-parents meeting at least once in a school term. Credited School Affairs Committee for fostering co-operative spirit among teachers. How students were trained in oratorial skills.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 32
Metadata
- 16 Dec 1987
Recording Date
- 00:29:24
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Retired in 1971, at age of 62. Became scriptwriter for Hokkien drama radio broadcast. Low staff turnover at Ai Tong School. Why Tan Lark Sye objected to turning Ai Tong into government-aided school. Tiff with Inspector of Schools, Li Jueshi. His opinion on assessment of teaching methods in 1950s. History of string puppetry.
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Reel/Disc 10 of 32
Metadata
- 16 Dec 1987
Recording Date
- 00:29:50
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Description of stage setting for string puppetry. Number of people manipulating puppets and musicians. How he developed interest in string puppetry. History of glove puppetry. Taught glove puppetry by master, Jiu Shi. Described his experience helping in drama group, Quanzhou Gengsu Drama Group, in China. Formed own drama group with three friends, at age of ten. Origin of Xiao Liyuan (Chinese opera performed by child actors).
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