HAN Toh Yee @ Han Fei 韩多义@韩飞
Performing Arts in Singapore (Theatre/Drama),
Accession Number 002921
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 17
Total Reels
- Loke Tai Tay
Interviewer
- 15:22:03
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 17
Metadata
- 22 Mar 2005
Recording Date
- 00:55:44
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee’s childhood; family background in Malaya and Indonesia. Private education, 1925. Primary schooling from 1928; experiences and subjects. Moved to Singapore, 1931. At Chung Cheng School, won calligraphy competitions. Excelled in Hwa Chong High School. Family returned to Indonesia during Japanese Occupation. Lifestyle in Indonesia. Life in rubber plantation. Jobs he did to earn money. Father’s relationship with Japanese Commander, who presented interviewee with flag for protection. Japanese Commander's treatment of girls. Feelings of Malay villagers. Appointment of village chief. Interviewee altered age and name to escape army enlistments. Malay committee's displeasure. Left for Singapore at night by sampan before Japanese surrendered.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 17
Metadata
- 22 Mar 2005
Recording Date
- 00:55:30
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
During Japanese Occupation in Indonesia, father stayed with Hainan clan in Balai; interviewee in rubber plantation. More about Japanese Commander. Father’s occupation in Indonesia. Interviewee’s job in school canteen. About singing at Da Di Cabaret （大地歌台), Happy World Amusement Park (快乐世界游艺场). Lessons from manager Feng Tao (冯涛). Performed on stage, 1947.About stage, equipment, performers, audience. Stage performances: timings, attire, songs, duets, program planning. Classical singers and pop singers performed separately. How he developed. Performed with singer Xiao Mei （小梅）. Talent-spotted by Li Mu Zhi （李牧之). Joined Nan Xing Troupe （南星歌舞团）, 1949. Responsible for public relations; overseas contracts. Performing in Capitol Cinema(首都戏院), Johor Baru; Kota Tinggi.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 17
Metadata
- 22 Mar 2005
Recording Date
- 00:57:34
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Li Mu Zhi and interviewee’s duties in troupe. Stage preparations for performance in Muar which had no theatre. Food and lodgings. Difficulties faced. Why crew remained although unpaid by Li Mu Zhi. Respect for secret societies. Nan Xing Troupe folded from financial difficulties. Singers' and interviewee's earnings. How clan associations and Chinese community helped financially. Difference in audience reaction to shows in theatres and tents. Program line-up. Li Mu Zhi’s wife Guan Li Ping （关丽萍） handled scheduling. Public understood hardships of traveling troupes. About singers in past: behaviour, dressing, costume, make-up How interviewee learnt acting. Printed own tickets. Dealing with tax officers.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 17
Metadata
- 29 Mar 2005
Recording Date
- 00:57:28
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
How tickets were printed. About incident involving performance registration in Segamat; resolved by interviewee. Troupe received 'red packet' during Chinese New Year performance in Segamat, 1950s. More on Chinese New Year performance, singers and audiences. No rules for ticketing. Day's takings better than night's. Patrolling policemen given cigarettes and alcohol. Ticket booklets and government tax on traveling troupes. Preparation work when forming troupes. Introducing members of troupe; synopsis of program. Promotional materials for troupe. Distributing pamphlets overseas. Costly vandalism to posters and banners. Li Mu Zhi's advertisements. More on promotional materials: photography, advertising, printing of pamphlets.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 17
Metadata
- 5 Apr 2005
Recording Date
- 00:54:16
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Troupe members looked after each other. Performances affected by natural and man-made elements. Troupe disbanded, 1950. Li Mu Zhi formed Mexico Troupe(墨西哥歌舞团), 1952; disbanded after a year. Interviewee performed in pubs. About pub scene: singers, bargirls, soft drinks, patrons, motives for patronizing. Gambling dens directly increased business in pubs. Gambling tickets sold at illegal dens; collection of prizes. Bargirls paid on commission, tips and popularity. Different pricing in pubs. Why bargirls earned more than female singers. Subscribed to Rediffusion for horse-racing commentary. Bribing of bookies. Horse-racing track moved from Race Course Road to Bukit Timah. Rules of horse betting.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 17
Metadata
- 11 Apr 2005
Recording Date
- 00:55:28
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
4-D ticket sellers get 5% of winnings. Bookies' earnings from horse betting. Rules of combo betting. Bookies' relationship with corrupt policemen. How winning 4-D numbers, determined. Cheating cases; match-fixing. About Mr Yang who made fortune from horse racing; disappeared in 1960s. Jockey's $300 gift to interviewee. Amateur jockey’s income. Li Mu Zhi formed Cha Cha Cha（ 恰恰恰歌舞团） troupe, 1955. Troupe new and former singers. About Gao Xiao Li (郜小丽) and her family. Tour routes in Malaysia. Troupe’s expenditure and salary. Different performances nightly. Experiences on ship. Troupe’s performances at Tie Shan （铁山）. Transportation covered by Tie Shan organizer. About hall's mediocre lighting, sound equipment; accomodation and breakfast provided.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 17
Metadata
- 11 Apr 2005
Recording Date
- 00:56:31
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Troupe's meal expenditure at Tie Shan. Rented Malaya Theatre（马来亚戏院）in Trengganu. Ticket price; earnings daily. Invited to perform in Kelantan by AIA GM Su Wen Long （苏文龙）. Difference performing to Malay and Chinese audience. Hosted to meals by Trengganu Chinese. Performed for charity at Su’s request. Stage and seating capacity. Tax and performing fees in Kuantan, Tie Shan and Kelantan.. Special VIP seats. Interviewee sang four Malay songs. Received "red packet" to perform. Different audience in East and West Malaysia. Interviewee’s performance. Encounter with admirer; wanted to marry interviewee. Escaped marriage by joining Hong Kong troupe on overseas assignment. Interviewee already had other marriage plans.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 17
Metadata
- 19 Apr 2005
Recording Date
- 00:57:31
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Troupe's stay in Api. Performance at Beaufort. Sailed from Api to Sandakan; accommodation and facilities. Next place: Semporna. Audiences in East Malaysia, Sandakan and Api. Performance at Tawau. Troupe invited to seafood dinner by kelong owner Mr Lin. Performed in Sebatik for 20 days. Returned to Singapore, 1960. Ticketing and advertising. Rotated shows in same location. Opera popular in Api and Sandakan. Receiving "red packet" from Zhao Da Ma during Chinese New Year. Wang Sha (王沙) recommended Han Fei as host at Kang Le Cabaret （康乐歌台）. Met Wang Sha’s wife in Penang. Logging in Penang. Rehearsal for play. Interviewee's two "ghostly" encounters
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