FLOWER DRUM SONG IN SINGAPORE:
"Photo 1: When I look at this 1962 photograph, the first thing that strikes me are the stage props. Don’t they remind you of those seen at a Chinese wake? Or do they look more like the 1950 anti- government street demonstration with all those banners?
Remember the musicals I was discussing in the previous posting? Well this time I am not in the audience but as a performer. And in one of the biggest and most popular musicals in the 60s, Flower Drum Song. How did it happen? It was in 1962 when Foorman’s School of Music - the place I attended my piano lessons - gave a public concert at the former Fort Canning Cultural Center, Singapore.
Flower Drum Song is a musical comedy set in San Francisco's Chinatown concerning old-fashioned Chinese and modern Chinese-Americans clashing over tradition and trying to find romance. That’s all I knew except for the big names like the darling Nancy Kwan and handsome James Shigata. The concert finale was set to the music of Grant Avenue, one of many songs taken from the musical."
Article/Image: Peter Chan Collection.
8 comments:
It certainly looked like a Chinese wake! As a performer, you must have rubbed shoulders with celebrities? Must be very memorable for you.
No reply from Mr Chan so far so I guess he must have rubbed shoulders with celebrities like the pianist who later become pretty famous.
Mr Chan himself is a celebrity.
Hey pallie, nice to know more about your adventures in musical theatre....FDS was probably Roger and Hammerstein's most unusual musical offering....
Thanks DMP for comment but unusual in what way? That it's about the East? And in the 60s? Please enlighten us.
Cheers.
From: Melissa Diagana
Date: Wed, Jun 29, 2011 at 10:17 PM
Subject: Using one of your photos?
To: sing60smusic@yahoo.com.sg
Hello!
I stumbled across your very neat (and mildly addictive) blog while googling for images of the Drama Centre that used to be along Canning Rise. I am writing an article called "The Lost Theatres of Fort Canning" for the Singapore American newspaper (SAN), and was wondering whether I could use this image (http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2010/01/hot-pants-and-short-chinese-blouse.html) to help illustrate it.
The SAN is published by the American Association of Singapore, a non-profit organization that since 1917 has served its members and the greater Singapore community. Every month, all 6000 copies of the SAN are distributed freely, and furthermore each issue is available on the website (www.aasingapore.com/en/cms/?53) for anyone to read. In addition, all the writers (myself included) write on a volunteer basis.
If you agree, could you tell me whether you are the photographer, or if not, whom I should credit?
Sincerely,
Melissa Diagana
From: Melissa Diagana
Date: Wed, Jun 29, 2011 at 10:17 PM
Subject: Using one of your photos?
To: sing60smusic@yahoo.com.sg
Hello!
I stumbled across your very neat (and mildly addictive) blog while googling for images of the Drama Centre that used to be along Canning Rise. I am writing an article called "The Lost Theatres of Fort Canning" for the Singapore American newspaper (SAN), and was wondering whether I could use this image (http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2010/01/hot-pants-and-short-chinese-blouse.html) to help illustrate it.
The SAN is published by the American Association of Singapore, a non-profit organization that since 1917 has served its members and the greater Singapore community. Every month, all 6000 copies of the SAN are distributed freely, and furthermore each issue is available on the website (www.aasingapore.com/en/cms/?53) for anyone to read. In addition, all the writers (myself included) write on a volunteer basis.
If you agree, could you tell me whether you are the photographer, or if not, whom I should credit?
Sincerely,
Melissa Diagana
Hi Melissa,
I have sent your mail to Peter Chan who owns the photograph and he should be writing to you soon. I am sure he won't mind.
Thanks for the comments. I hope you will publicise the fact that there was a thriving and fun loving community of people in Singapore 60s that produced its own music.
I guess it still is today huh?
I am the author and owner of that photo on re: Drama Theatre. Do leave me your email address for contact Melissa.
Peter Chan.
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