WE studied how various types of parasites can enter our body and make us ill -- during science lessons. But it was in the middle of a history class one afternoon, that we had a real life demonstration.
One of my classmates who was sitting in front, suddenly leaned over and vomited (seemingly in disgust over what Emperor Shih Huang Ti had done -- burning books and burying his subjects live). She was real skinny -- easily the skinniest among us all.
All of us were awed to see something wriggling on the floor where she vomited. Spencer (the outspoken one and the one who claimed he was chased by a bull near SGSS), asked, "Sir, is it a worm?"
The teacher who was a little speechless at first, said hesitantly (more bent on not alarming the poor girl than being factual), "No, no, it's not a worm... "
He then went to call for the sweeper to get the disgusting thing out of the classroom.
Thursday, 2 July 2015
Wednesday, 1 July 2015
Lady Precious Stream at SGSS
I WAS the maid in Lady Precious Stream for a concert at SGSS. I only needed to say "Yes, my lady" (twice, throughout the whole play). And to remember not to face my back to the audience.
Even for that, I had to be made up. The lipstick was hard and smelled stale. My eyebrows were overly drawn -- making me the fiercest of maids in the kingdom. As for the costume, it wasn't a problem as I could wear the floral samfoo which I already owned as a member of the Lantern Dance (another item for another event).
Not sure what happened. I was supposed to Lady Precious Stream at first... but the teacher decided that one of my classmates (who was rather fat, but could really act well) should play the main role.
No difference for me... I was thrilled to be the maid. And only two lines to remember.
Even for that, I had to be made up. The lipstick was hard and smelled stale. My eyebrows were overly drawn -- making me the fiercest of maids in the kingdom. As for the costume, it wasn't a problem as I could wear the floral samfoo which I already owned as a member of the Lantern Dance (another item for another event).
Not sure what happened. I was supposed to Lady Precious Stream at first... but the teacher decided that one of my classmates (who was rather fat, but could really act well) should play the main role.
No difference for me... I was thrilled to be the maid. And only two lines to remember.
Singapore Potpourri at SGSS
I WAS the head of a cow in "Singapore Potpourri" staged by SGSS for a school competition (I think it was part of National Day celebrations). Various primary schools took part in this at the National Theatre (now demolished).
If I remember correctly, the concept was to depict a typical market square in Singapore then (the 60s). When the music from Persian Market sounded, various "hawkers" made their appearance (including the kacang putih man), with some cultural dances in between. Then the music from the movie Hatari (starring John Wayne and Doris Day) sounded, the signal for the farmer to bring out his cows. (Actually looking back, not sure whether cows were a common sight at markets, but nevermind, there's such a thing as poetic license.)
The "cows" danced their way out from behind the curtains to the centre of the stage. The "head" (me) would then start to munch grass, swaying slightly from side to side. Behind me, under "cow cover" (like a lion dance) would be the backside, another student crouched low.
There were two cows for this act. During one rehearsal at the basketball court of the school, the cows got bored while waiting for their turn and decided to race each other in the muddy field. And were duly subdued when the teacher gave a lashing for getting the cow costumes all muddied.
Can't remember whether we won any prizes. But we certainly had lots of fun staging Singapore Potpourri!
If I remember correctly, the concept was to depict a typical market square in Singapore then (the 60s). When the music from Persian Market sounded, various "hawkers" made their appearance (including the kacang putih man), with some cultural dances in between. Then the music from the movie Hatari (starring John Wayne and Doris Day) sounded, the signal for the farmer to bring out his cows. (Actually looking back, not sure whether cows were a common sight at markets, but nevermind, there's such a thing as poetic license.)
The "cows" danced their way out from behind the curtains to the centre of the stage. The "head" (me) would then start to munch grass, swaying slightly from side to side. Behind me, under "cow cover" (like a lion dance) would be the backside, another student crouched low.
There were two cows for this act. During one rehearsal at the basketball court of the school, the cows got bored while waiting for their turn and decided to race each other in the muddy field. And were duly subdued when the teacher gave a lashing for getting the cow costumes all muddied.
Can't remember whether we won any prizes. But we certainly had lots of fun staging Singapore Potpourri!
Lantern Dance at SGSS
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| "Dance" of the lanterns in Chinatown (at Temple Street). Pic: March 2013. |
Each of us holding a lantern in each hand, would danced our way into quite a few formations such as figure of eight, and circles. There was a "generic" step used throughout the dance, with a lot of variations during the different formations (such as raising the lanterns high overhead, or keeping them waist high).
There were two teachers in charge of this "troupe" -- and sometimes we would have rehearsals at one of their homes. While waiting for our turns to rehearse, we explored the lonkangs (drains) outside her house. And we had cakes and soft drinks served to us for tea by our teachers. The benefits of being in a dance troupe. Tremendous fun.
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