CHANG Lye Lye @ Zhang Lai Lai 张莱莱
Performing Arts in Singapore (Theatre/Drama),
Accession Number 002465
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 23
Total Reels
- Chow Swee Kuan
Interviewer
- 11:41:40
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 23
Metadata
- 21 Nov 2000
Recording Date
- 00:30:52
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Personal history. Place and year of birth. Family background. Home in Beijing. Number of brothers and sisters. Father Zhang Pao Hua has circus in Russia. Father returned to Shanghai to perform. How her mother met her father. Parents give some advice to Shen Chang Fu Circus (famous circus in Singapore in 1950s) in 1941. When she was only three years old, her parents brought her to Singapore. Childhood in circus. First performance when she was young.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 2 of 23
Metadata
- 21 Nov 2000
Recording Date
- 00:31:06
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Life during Japanese Occupation. Father arrested by Japanese Force. Interviewee returned to Geylang, waited for her father for 20 days. Relationship with Shen Chang Fu Circus. Described Shen Chang Fu Circus' props and troupers. How Shaw Brother staff helped her family in financial problem. Described Mei Hua (plum blossom) Dance Troupe. Mother left dance troupe. Jin Xing (golden stars) Dance Troupe was set up and moved to Penang. Attended school in Penang.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 3 of 23
Metadata
- 21 Nov 2000
Recording Date
- 00:30:59
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Living in poverty made her to perform in nightclub when she was 10 years old. How she learned dancing. Life in singing group. Acrobatic training in circus. How she learned to somersault. Russian and Hungarian singing and dancing. How she created "snake dance". Teaching in Southern Thailand. Performed in Thailand.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 4 of 23
Metadata
- 21 Nov 2000
Recording Date
- 00:31:09
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
What made her create "snake dancing" How she was inspired by snake to create dance. Requirement of "snake dancing". Description of lighting, props and costume in "snake dancing". Response of audience. Childhood in backstage. Rehearsed "The Chorus of Yellow River". Influences from Uncle Choo Rui Feng (her parents' best friend who taught interviewee and siblings).
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 5 of 23
Metadata
- 21 Nov 2000
Recording Date
- 00:31:02
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Setting up of Chorus of Zhang Lai Lai. Programme for the performance. Life in Kuching. Detained by Government because of song "Bei Jiu Gao Ge" (toast and sing). Why she left singing group. Talked about Shanghai's famous songwriter Lu Ding. How interviewee met Ho Ah Loke (founder of Merdeka Studio). Interviewee met Loke Wan Tho (owner of Cathay Organization) in airplane.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 6 of 23
Metadata
- 30 Nov 2000
Recording Date
- 00:31:16
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Description of Kwang Yi Gong Si. How she joined Kwang Yi. Talked about relationship with Shen Chang Fu. How Yu Su Qiu (martial arts actress in 1950s) took care of "Qi Xiao Fu" ("Seven Little Lucky Boys" in which Jacky Chan acts as one of the boys). Learning Hungarian Dance. Performing in Malaya. She was spotted by Luo Wei (famous director in 1950s) to become film star. About filming of "Duo Sing He" ("Romance River"). Various companies invited her to perform. Description of Zhang Shang Kun (famous producer in 1950s) and his film production.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 7 of 23
Metadata
- 30 Nov 2000
Recording Date
- 00:29:51
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Setting up of Shen Chang Fu's Circus. Layout of stage for Shen Chang Fu Circus. Compared Tian Qiu Qiu Circus (another circus in Singapore in 1950s) with Shen Chang Fu in terms of stage and costume. How did people treat them. Ceremony of taking in circus learners. How her father trained tigers and other animals. Reason for closing down Shen Chang Fu. Shen died and believed in Islam.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 8 of 23
Metadata
- 7 Dec 2000
Recording Date
- 00:31:02
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Reason for not performing "snake dance" dancing. Her mother contracted tuberculosis. Death of her uncle. Talked about acting in Xiang Lin Sao (famous play written by Lu Xun). Response to Xiang Lin Sao. Treatment of tuberculosis. How her mother got TB. Mother married at 18 years old and became first ballerina in China. Cousin suffered from Tuberculosis too.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 9 of 23
Metadata
- 7 Dec 2000
Recording Date
- 00:30:43
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Why his father left circus. Father created frog dancing that inspired snake dance she performed later.The first orchestra performed at Majestic Theatre. Life during Japanese Occupation. How her father was arrested during 'sook ching'. Involved in film-making. Description of making Malay film in Sarawak. Attitude of local artists. Star-search attracted more than 10,000 people. Audition of Star-search.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 10 of 23
Metadata
- 7 Dec 2000
Recording Date
- 00:31:11
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Talked about story of "Fanatic Love of Malay". The inspiration for making "Fanatic Love of Malay". Gave details of shooting location and script writing. Feedback from audience. Why she made and acted in this movie by herself. Description of writing songs for "Fanatic Love of Malay". Characteristic of localizing film-making. Payment for artists. How parents treated them.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
