WONG, Joanna Quee Heng (Mrs) 胡桂馨
Performing Arts in Singapore (Opera),
Accession Number 003601
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 58
Total Reels
- Teo Kian Giap
Interviewer
- 54:40:07
Total Running Time
- English
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 58
Metadata
- 15 Mar 2011
Recording Date
- 00:58:14
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee was born 1939 in Penang. She enjoyed her primary school days and was exposed to English literature and drama (teacher Mavis Mehta) at CHIJ (Convent Light Street). Interviewee did not learn Chinese in school and picked up the language through listening to Chinese songs and through songbooks. Family circumstances changed when her father passed away when she was in Form 5. Interviewee became a Catholic later and also obtained her Higher School Certificate. She was accepted into the Singapore campus of the University of Malaya in 1959. She gave her impression of Queenstown at that time.
Interviewee was active while in Penang. She was a member of the Chin Woo Athletic Association and she also learnt to play Qin Qin 秦琴 and learn Cantonese opera there. She also learnt Cantonese opera at Phun Yue Clan Association (番禺会馆) though she was criticized for her singing. Later she auditioned successfully for a radio broadcast. Interviewee talked about attending opera performances in Penang. Her interest was influenced by her father and her aunt. She talked about her recording at Radio Malaya and her first stage performance, where lead actress was not pleased with her.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 58
Metadata
- 15 Mar 2011
Recording Date
- 00:58:08
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee played a prank on the lead actress during one of the performances. She talked about her training at that time, mentioning teachers such as Deng Chan Yu 邓婵玉 and Zhu Xiu Ying 朱秀英, and a performance Liu Guo Da Feng Xiang 六国大封相. Interviewee elaborated more on learning martial arts at Chin Woo Athletic Association. She spoke about status of Cantonese Opera at that time. She also had the opportunity to learn Beijing opera moves in Penang.
Interviewed talked about the general themes of Chinese opera and how they obtained the scripts back then. Cantonese Opera adapted music score and musical instruments from various sources. Interviewee summarized her experience of learning Chinese opera in Penang. Interviewee proceeded to talk about her student life in University of Malaya (Singapore campus). She spoke about hostel life in Eusoff College, including ragging on campus. She studied Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry in her first year.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 58
Metadata
- 15 Mar 2011
Recording Date
- 00:57:18
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee joined the Chinese Society and presented a dance and a song item at the Society’s performance. The Cantonese song played on piano did not go well with Mr Leslie Wong. Interviewee staged Tian Xian Pei 天仙配 and Mr Leslie Wong helped with the costumes. Interviewee still recorded for Radio Malaya and sang songs written by Leslie Wong. Interviewee next staged Madam White Snake for the Chinese Society. She also staged Goddess of Lok 洛神 for the Goethe Institute. Mr Lim Chor Pee’s Experimental Theatre Club invited her to act in its first production Thunderstorm but she declined due to her examinations. She helped out at the next production Mimi Fan. Her impression of Lim Chor Pee.
While schooling in Penang, interviewee also acted in MacBeth with the British soldiers. Interviewee was the President of the Junior Common Room Committee in her fourth year of study. She watched Cantonese operas in Singapore and compared the styles from Penang and Singapore. She talked about the University Rag and Flag Day. Interviewee took up part time teaching at Boys Town as she wanted to be a teacher. She changed her mind after that. Interviewee decided to stay in Singapore after graduation. The graduation ceremony was held at Victoria Theatre. Interviewee was already employed by NUS Registrar Office and she helped out at the ceremony. She talked about the Oei Tiong Ham Hall, where the orientation ceremony was held.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 58
Metadata
- 22 Mar 2011
Recording Date
- 00:53:04
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Oei Tiong Ham Hall was used as a venue for concerts and performances. Interviewee participated in the production Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. She also performed in hostels and was involved in Lim Chor Pee’s Experimental Theatre Club productions. Interviewee stood for election for the University of Singapore Student Union and garnered the most votes. Interviewee talked more on campus life. In 1962, the campus in Singapore became University of Singapore. Interviewee talked about the admission requirements, course syllabus, “Superfresh” students entering straight into second year of the university courses.
Interviewee was awarded “University of Singapore Students” Union Gold Medal for the most outstanding all round student in 1962. Students were generally indifferent to the split of the two universities. She and her friends were not politically conscious during university days. Dr Ahmad Mattar was a classmate of interviewee.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 58
Metadata
- 22 Mar 2011
Recording Date
- 00:57:40
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee started work at the University of Singapore (SU) and was involved in the committee that looked into setting up accountancy, architecture and engineering faculties. She received good training from her mentor Mrs Lu-Sinclair. One of her task was to proof read The Calendar (statues and rules), Regulations and university matters) of the University which was printed yearly. She was accepted as a Resident Fellow at Eusoff College, where she was also married off there. Interviewee mentioned going to Koek Road (off Orchard Road) for meals with Leslie Wong.
She talked about her two Vice Chancellors Dr B.R. Sreenivasan and Prof Lim Tay Boh. Interviewee said that one point in time, arts students were streamed into taking one subject degree (for better students) and two subject degree. Interviewee was involved in planning the academic timetable and student admissions. She mentioned a case involving a student stealing examinations paper and an exchange student forging academic documents.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 58
Metadata
- 29 Mar 2011
Recording Date
- 00:55:39
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee said that she was not streetwise when she first came to Singapore. She joined the students in signing the petition in support of Professor Enright of the English Department, who was dismissed. She later also signed a petition when the University changed the structure and duration of the courses within the Arts Faculty. Interviewee remembered flooding at Bukit Timah Campus but it never happened during examination period. The library and the Art Museum were good places to study. She mentioned the museum director William Willets.
The museum collection was later transferred to National Museum. Interviewee started working at the University in Mar 1963 and remembered the university staff going on strike over pay freeze. Interviewee worked briefly under Dr Sreenivasan, then Vice Chancellor (VC). Around that time, she recalled a small group of students taking Chinese Higher School Certificate (HSC) entering the university. Prof Lim Tay Poh assumed the position of Acting VC became the VC in Jan 1965. Interviewee was in charge of convocation during that time. In 1965, President Eusoff was elected the Chancellor of the University.
Interviewee talked about the installation of the Chancellor. She mentioned that university changed the rule so that the President of Singapore would automatically be the Chancellor of the university. The Installation Dinner was held at City Hall. Interviewee recalled an incident concerning Minister of Education (MOE) Yong Nyuk Lin during convocation. In 1965, a new Science Tower was completed at Bukit Timah Campus. Interviewee recalled her student days where her physics tutor Arthur Rajaratnam did not allow her to leave the cold physics laboratory. She also sneaked out of chemistry practical lessons to attend Cantonese opera performance.
In 1965, Singapore Polytechnic (SP) students were able to get into university for engineering, architecture and accounting courses. The architecture students were housed at Lady Hill Campus off Orange Grove Road. 1965 was also the Diamond Jubilee (60 years) of the Medical Department. The Medical Department was split into Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry subsequently. Interviewee got married in 1965 from Eusoff College and the wedding was held at St Ignatius Church at King’s Road. She also applied for Singapore citizenship that year. When she and her husband Leslie Wong came out of the Immigration Department, they met Mdm Wei Meng Lan 卫梦兰 (from Malacca) who had also moved to Singapore with her husband. It was through Mdm Wei that interviewee got involved in Cantonese Opera in Singapore.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 58
Metadata
- 29 Mar 2011
Recording Date
- 00:55:56
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
In 1996, interviewee directed the Forsaken Wife秦香莲 for the Experimental Theatre Club. Her daughter Mary was born in 1966 and while pregnant with Audrey in 1967, the Vice Chancellor (VC) Lim Tay Poh passed away and Deputy VC Mr Reginald Quahe assume the responsibility of Acting VC. Interviewee was on maternity leave when she was informed that Dr Toh Chin Chye would be next VC. The staff was apprehensive of Dr Toh’s appointment. Interviewee shared how Dr Toh chaired the admission exercise meeting.
Interviewee mentioned briefly then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew visited the NUS campus. Interviewee suggested teas sessions between Dr Toh and the academics to know each other better but it was not successful. Interviewee sensed Dr Toh seemed not to like certain staff. She took charge of the Council Minutes and got to work with Dr Toh more often. She related a few stories concerning Dr Toh. Interviewee talked about student activists Tan Wah Piao and Juliet Chin. Dr Toh planned to move the campus to Kent Ridge.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 58
Metadata
- 5 Apr 2011
Recording Date
- 00:58:10
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
The University used to have a Matriculation Day for new students, but due to possible student unrest, it was eventually done away with. The Convocation ceremonies were held at National Theatre and later at Singapore Conference Hall. Dr Toh started a music department in 1971 at the university but it was closed down after a few years. Dr Toh mooted the idea of moving the campus to Kent Ridge. The start of the academic year in 1975 was changed from May to July due to National Service. Interviewee talked about the moved to Kent Ridge, and bomb scares at the university. She mentioned Mr Reginald Quahe, his duties and an incident involving him. Interviewee talked more about Dr Toh Chin Chye. Interviewee talked about Guild of Graduates.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 58
Metadata
- 5 Apr 2011
Recording Date
- 00:56:36
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee talked about the Guild of Graduates, mentioning a person Dr Chee Phui Hung (Agong of Medical Department). She mentioned Morris Baker who recommended her to sit on National Theatre Trust Board. Mr Reginald Quahe, Deputy Vice Chancellor (VC), passed away in 1977. Dr Toh Chin Chye left the university and the staff held a farewell function for him at Apollo Theatre. Dr Kwan Sai Kheong was the next VC and he seconded interviewee to Nanyang University (Nantah) as Registrar. Interviewee talked about Nanyang University (Nantah) and the management. She said that the staff treated her well. She also organized tea session for the new Director General. She talked about the Nanyang University Council, where Mr Wee Cho Yaw was the Chairman at that time.
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Reel/Disc 10 of 58
Metadata
- 19 Apr 2011
Recording Date
- 00:55:40
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee was seconded to Nanyang University (Nantah) and was told about her terms. No Vice Chancellor was appointed at that time and she was heading the administration it temporarily. Mr Tan Chok Kian came in as Director General but was not feeling well, thus interviewee covered his duties for a while. Interviewee said that the Nantah Council discussed how to promote the university and advertisements were put out to recruit lecturers from overseas. Interviewee talked about the proposal and her response to let Nantah arts and social science students attend courses at Bukit Timah campus (Joint campus scheme). Due to the cramp conditions at University of Singapore (SU) Bt Timah campus, there were plans to move Business Administration and Accountancy faculties to Nantah campus but eventually, these faculties moved to Kent Ridge campus a year earlier than planned. Sir Fredrick Daiton was invited by the government to review the higher education in Singapore.
In Aug 1980, Nantah and Singapore University were merged as National University of Singapore (NUS). Interviewee said that Nantah Council Chairman Wee Chow Yaw had to explain to Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry about the merger. Interviewee talked about the move to NUS, including transfer of staff and students to the new campus, archiving the files, the Lee Kong Chien Museum etc. Interviewee was labeled an executioner by the Chinese press. She said that Mr Wee Cho Yaw declined the offer to be the Chairman of the NUS Council. She talked about the reactions from students and staff. She said that NUS used to keep records of the Nantah graduates until it was handed to Nanyang Technoligical University in the 90s. She talked more on Nantah and her years at the university.
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