Another ACS production…
Here’s another scene from an ACS play. This one is from Carousel, back in 1977. The pretty girl striking a ballerina pose is none other than Michelle Yeoh!
We thank Ong Su-Ming for sharing this photo with us.
April 2023
March 2023
…that famous, tragic, romance…
Some of you may have already guessed this play, merely by the “balcony scene”. 🙂
This play was organised by none other than the ACS Music and Drama Society, back in 1976. Just to refresh your memories (if you’ve watched it), the leading roles were played by Tan Seow Heng (Juliet) and Emmet O’Sullivan (Romeo).
We thank Ong Su-Ming for sharing this photograph with us.
“full house”
This picture was taken from the ACS centenary magazine, probably before the start of the school play. We thank our donor Ong Su-Ming.
“caught in the act”
We thank our donor Ong Su-Ming for this picture, which was taken from the 100th Voyage 1895-1995 (an ACS, Ipoh magazine).
Do you remember this play, back in 1952? Or, perhaps you caught the later adaptation in 1962?
November 2022
Charity Show
Back in 1954, there was a charity show at the Anglo-Chinese Girls’ School. It was for a good cause – to aid the educational work among the Dayaks in Borneo.
Did you catch the recital and one-act play?
November 2021
Where are they now?
We received this lovely photo from Eric Low. He’s hoping for any information regarding the young people in the above photo.
In his own words:
Once upon a time there was this band in Ipoh who called themselves “The Rain People” (**) … The 1968 or 1969 picture below was taken in one of the Catholic Churches in Ipoh when and where we performed at the birthday party of Rev Bro Ultan Paul of SMI ….Enlisting your assistance to see if any of you recognise some of the faces, for me to reconnect with a couple of them …Left to right (standing): We were all ex-MichaeliansMichael Wong (with the drumsticks, whom I know is still in the UK; lost contact).Next to him – David Hew (whose family owned the Orchid Farm off Tambun Road, which he took over in running; still in Ipoh I am guessing; lost contact).Miss Wong Mei Ching (of Housing Trust, she was a 6th Former at SMI then).Yours truly. to Mei Ching’s left ….Guy in the glasses was my best friend, Richard Chan, who sadly passed away many yeas ago; I managed to get him Aussie citizenship in the 1970s.And in centre frame (always wanting to be different), sitting down, is Zainal from Kampung Manjoi (someone whom I am desperately trying to reconnect with …)I am praying that some of these innocent faces of a yesteryear ring a bell with someone out there …
March 2021
Memories – the ‘Great Singout’
Yes, back in 1968 there was a choral performance organised by Methodist Girls’ School. It was a charity event in aid of the school’s building fund. You can find some of the audio clips from this concert here.
October 2018
Let the music play…
courtesy of: Charlie Choong (click to enlarge)
We believe these musicians were part of the Perak Hui Zhou association. While we try to find out more about this, perhaps someone out there could help us out. Does anyone remember this public performance? And if you do, do you recognise the buildings in the background?
January 2018
Another SMI Play?
Let’s see if the Michaelians remember this one (see pictures below):
Recognise the costumes? The actors? The title of the play?
I only recognise Bro Pius Kelly, standing in the back (between the ‘gentleman’ with the top hat and the ‘maiden’).
November 2017
Remember Her?
picture courtesy of: Vivien Lian
We’re talking about the lady on the left (in the glittery outfit). Recognise her? She’s none other than Sakura Teng – the Go-go Queen from the 1970s. Do you remember her? Were you a fan?
August 2017
The Drifters
How many of you remember The Drifters?
How many of you saw them perform at the Rex Cinema?
How many of you remember the dragons on the walls, which ‘watched over’ the cinema goers?
May 2016
Kultar’s Mime
Kultar’s Mime is a devised play that blends painting, poetry, theater, and music to tell the stories of Sikh children who survived the 1984 Delhi massacre organized in the wake of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination.
As part of their Malaysian tour, the troupe will be performing in Ipoh on 25th May 2016, at the ACS Auditorium. The show starts at 7pm.
Tickets are by donation of RM50, with all proceeds going to local community projects, and can be purchased at www.kultarsmime.asia (Malaysian contact = S. Autar Singh, 012-2055011). The show runs about an hour, followed by a talkback with the cast and “Kultar’s Mime” poet, Sarbpreet Singh.
November 2015
Siddhartha – The Musical
Fancy watching a musical about Siddhartha? Then contact 05-2820224 / 013-4846625 for tickets and more information.
Incidentally, this Filipino group has performed in several countries around the world. Click this link to watch a sample of their performance:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5pTwnMfEFd4&feature=youtu.be
September 2015
Tapestry at Sarang Paloh, Ipoh
ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Tapestry performs for the first time in Ipoh at the Event Hall of the Sarang Paloh Heritage Hotel. Come experience an evening of songs in this beautiful and striking heritage space.
Friday, 9 October 2015 @ 8:30 PM
Tickets are priced at RM35 (free seating), and can be purchased from Sarang Paloh, and also from our website:http://www.wearetapestry.com/index.php/tapestry-events/
or, you can follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1450288048610502/
June 2015
Attention all ACS Alumni!
click to enlarge
The above is a programme (sent via email) from LeanMS. As you can see, the ACS Alumni have many events scheduled for the next few months. Lean also told us:
“In order not to in any way affect attendance at the Festival of Performing Arts, we have decided to reschedule the Musical Concert to 5th August 2016 (next year).”
So, mark you calendars, folks! Here’s a chance to catch up with all your former school mates (and teachers too!).
April 2015
Shadow Puppet
Wayang kulit is a unique form of theatre employing light and shadow. The puppets are crafted from buffalo hide and mounted on bamboo sticks. When held up behind a piece of white cloth, with an electric bulb or an oil lamp as the light source, shadows are cast on the screen. The plays are typically based on romantic tales, especially adaptations of the classic Indian epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Some of the plays are also based on local happening or other local secular stories. It is up to the conductor or dalang or master puppeteer to decide his direction. (source: Wikipedia)
Thought we’d share this picture (taken from a calendar) with our dear Readers. Here you can see the Puppet Master in action, as he presents his story. From what I’ve read, this form of theatre has its roots in Java, Indonesia. This art caught on in Kelantan….did it ever take flight here in Perak? Wonder if our Arts experts know more….
February 2015
Meeting Your Idol?
As the caption states, the late P. Ramlee was in Ipoh back in 1965 for a fund raising show. Were any one of you lucky enough to meet him? Did anyone go to that particular show? I’m sure there must have been some ‘screaming fans’… 😉 Did anyone manage to get P. Ramlee’s autograph too?
January 2015
Meet the Cast!
We were told that Anderson School once put up this play. Well, so did St Michael’s Institution. We present to you the cast of ‘Lady Precious Stream’ – back in 1980!
Winners of the Singing Contest
We all know Elvis Presley had his share of impersonators; some were almost as good as the ‘King’ himself – with the deep voice AND the gyrating hips!
Frank Sinatra (or Ol’ Blue Eyes, as some know him) had his share of impersonators too. Speaking of which, does anyone remember the Frank Sinatra singing contest back in 1959? It was held at the Lido Theatre…perhaps this picture might refresh your memory!
If you’re one of those in the photograph, do share with us your memories!
November 2014
Another Play from ACS!
This was taken off the souvenir programme of “Fiddler on the Roof”, back in 1974. Wasn’t that long ago…I wonder how many of you remember this 🙂 Maybe some of the actors are reading this – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
September 2014
Fancy a Musical Buffet?
click to enlarge poster
Calling all music lovers! Keep this weekend free – 6th and 7th September 2014 – and treat yourself (and your family/friends) to this “sumptuous spread of music” 🙂
For tickets and further details, call PSPA : 05 – 242 7814
August 2013
Broadway, Here We Come!
I was about 8 years old when I took part in a school concert (in the early 90s). The concert was for the Hari Anugerah (Prize Giving Day), and I recall being absolutely exhausted after every practice. I had to wake up early since practice started at about 8 o’clock in the morning. It went on past lunch time. I also had extra homework to do because practices were during school hours. What I hated most was when the music teacher told us that we girls had to wear make-up on the actual day of the concert…..sigh!
This picture was taken back in 1963. Were school concerts any different then? Like me, I’m sure the rest of us are wondering what happened to these ‘stars’ 😉
Anyone remember what this stage play was about? Did the ‘couple’ live happily ever after in the end?
PSPA INTERNATIONAL ENSEMBLE 2013
Yes, they are back!
To avoid disappointment, please make your bookings at the PSPA office or contact them at :
PSPA : 05-5487814
Witzi Leong : 012-5088818
********
Emails : pspaipoh@gmail.com , inquiries@pspaipoh.org
Website : www.pspaipoh.org
Visit them on facebook : www.facebook.com/pspaipoh
May 2013
The Christmas Concert
I know it’s not even close to December yet…but all the same, I’d like to share Ruth Rollitt’s photo with you. This was taken at St John’s Hall back in 1958. According to the programme, those on stage were probably from the Ipoh Musical Society. The singers were accompanied by the band from the 13th/18th Royal Hussars (QMO) and the Perak Philharmonic Orchestra. This concert was in aid of the Federation of Malaya Red Cross Society.
Were you one of the performers? Or perhaps you recognise someone in this photo? Do share your thoughts with us!
March 2013
In & Around Ipoh Town
Here’s a nice one from a family album. We thank Alexander for this gem. According to him, the girl (standing) is his grandmother Madam Ursula. Behind her are her parents Mr Arokiasamy and Mrs Iruthayamary. The little one on the car is Ursula’s sister Kolanda Theresa. Incidentally, Mr Arokiasamy was involved in the textile & liquor business.
Anyone else have similar memories of their childhood to share? We’d love to hear from you 🙂
January 2013
A Night of Music
Could this be part of the Perak Chinese Amateur Dramatists Association (PCADA) building? To what we know, the top floor of the building used to be a hall.
With that in mind, we believe that the gentlemen in the front row (all in white shirts and narrow, black ties) are part of the PCADA String Orchestra. If you look closely at the bottom part of the photo, you can probably see some of the instruments too.
However, we could be wrong though. So if anyone has other suggestions, do feel free to leave your comments.
November 2012
A Special Event in KL
A (Medieval) Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
International choir CANTUS MUSICUS and Jusz Kidz Children’s Choir will present an Advent service of THE FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS & CAROLS in the sanctuary of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Kuala Lumpur on 9 December 2012 (Sunday), at 6.00pm.
This is a traditional Christian choral festival in which Christmas carols and songs from around the world would be sung in their original languages, interspersed with readings by diplomats and leading members of KL’s international community. This is also the 10th year that the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols has been sung by CANTUS MUSICUS in St. Andrew’s.
In celebration of this milestone, some of the carols that will be sung this year will be medieval in character to reflect the humble origins of the choir when it first started as a small group, singing medieval music and madrigals.
Mulled wine and mince pies will be served after the service, using recipes from the medieval age, made by various choir members.
Cantus Musicus is an international choir based in KL founded in 2003. The original members of the choir were drawn from an experimental choir formed to complement the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and known unofficially as the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas Chorale. Unfortunately, the choir project was subsequently abandoned. buts the project choir’s rehearsal conductor, took the best of the singers, 17 in all, and formed Cantus Musicus. Within 2 days, the choir gave its first public concert, and the rest is history.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantus_Musicus
I hope you would be able to attend this unique carol service in which all the singers would be dressed in European medieval costumes. If you are unable to attend, I would appreciate it if you could please inform your friends about the service and forward the poster and write-up to them. Thank you.
The choir would be accompanied by Lisa Ho on the pipe organ and piano, Lionel Morbelli on the violin, and Christoph Zilian on the oboe.
March 2012
Our Very Own ‘Elvis Presley’!
We know him as Rocky Teoh – a Taiping-born lad who loved singing and entered many talent contests. Shown here is the front cover of his album, which features two of Rocky’s famous songs: ‘There’s Always Me’ and ‘Crying In The Chapel’. Rocky and the Fabulous Falcons have performed in Cathay Organisation Theatres throughout the country; they even toured Thailand back in 1965 too!
Has anyone seen Rocky and the Falcons perform LIVE? I’m sure these boys had their fair share of screaming fan-girls (and boys too?) 😉
And to the members of the Falcons – we’d LOVE to hear from you!
February 2012
The ‘Singout’, Organised by MGS
We received these interesting pictures from Ralph Khaw (from Perth, Australia). He also emailed us a short explanation for the above pictures:
“I can’t remember the date of the singout organised in MGS , involving students from MGS,ACS,SMI. I played a small part as a member of Choir. The teacher singing is Eddie Chin,teacher of MGS. One of female lead singer is Lim Siok Kim.( who later became my
sister-in-law and now residing in St Albans,UK). Miss Devi was the teacher and conductor/director of the musical “Sing-out”. A few months later it was performed in KL, due to its popularity but can’t remember the hall /venue. I can’t remember the name of the other female lead singer. The songs were from Oklahoma, and a few musical plays.
According to Ralph, he was also in this choir (back row, top from right). Anyone remember this singout? It couldn’t have been that long ago. Perhaps, some of the singers are reading this now? DO tell us MORE about this singout 🙂
December 2011
Let there be Music!
We have here the PCADA String Orchestra. Do you remember them? Perhaps they performed for the public (something like our Malaysian Philharmonic althouh a little smaller)? What’s become of them now?
Bring Back Any Memories?
Ladies and Gentlemen, we present to you the 1969 cast of ‘My Fair Lady’ – a Michaelian Production of course 😉
Did any of you catch this play? Give us a little review….
Better yet: Were you one of the actors? Or, were you one of those involved in the production (doing the Set / Make-up / Costumes…etc.)? Is the Director of this play here in Ipoh? Maybe you could share some memories with us?
October 2011
The Y’s-Men’s Club, Ipoh
Was this part of a play? Perhaps a Talentime Competition? All we know is, these pictures below were taken at an event hosted by the Y-Men’s Club!
Did you attend this event?
September 2011
A Concert Not To Be Missed!
For those of you who are wondering about what to do this Friday evening….how about sampling some Korean pop music? Yes, tonight at 8pm at Dewan Leong Wan Chin (Perak Girls’ School Hall) there will be a K-Pop Concert put together by a group of young and gifted Koreans!
This concert is in aid of IPOHBUG – an organisation ‘dedicated to encouraging sports amongst the youth’. As IPOHBUG President William Chang explains, the funds raised will “give Malaysian youths the opportunity to enjoy football, basketball etc. besides building healthy lifestyles and developing good morals through sports”.
For more information, you may contact Perak Society of Performing Arts (PSPA) at 05-5487814 or e-mail them at pspa2011fest@gmail.com
August 2011
Scenes from a School Concert
These pictures were sent to us by IpohBornKid.
IpohBornKid also wrote the following:
The attached photos were taken in the late 1950s, during the local primary school’s song and dance performances.
It is a tradition in Chinese schools to perform traditional song and dance as opposed to the Western arts performed in English schools.These performances were well attended by the school children, teachers and parents. Many teachers spent hours of their free time teaching the young to sing and dance. Unlike today where you can buy colorful costumes from China, most of the costumes were locally made by parents and volunteers. The dancers should be in their 50s and 60s now. I believe that the “old girls” who left the primary school were asked to perform on these occasions. It is more like a town performance ratherthan a school performance. As a kid, I did attend all these performances as my family members were involved in the stage production and performance.
To what we know, these pictures were taken at Man Wah Primary School, in Menglembu.
July 2011
Perak’s Very Own!
The Kinta Valley Wind Orchestra present to you Around the World in 80 Minutes!
This is in conjunction with the Perak Performing Arts Festival 2011. The orchestra will be performing at the Syuen Hotel on 31st July (Sunday) at 8pm.
For further enquiries / reservations, do call PSPA 05-5487814 or email them at pspa2011fest@gmail.com
June 2011
The Perak Dance Festival 2011
Taking place as yet another event of the Perak Performing Arts Festival on 1st and 2nd July 2011 this is a dance extravaganza brought to you by PSPA that should not be missed. Get your tickets today.
The Perak Choral Festival
In conjunction with the Perak Choral Festival 2011, the following events will be taking place:
- A Choral Training Workshop, by Susanna Saw, on 18 June (Saturday) at Garden Villa from 1pm-6pm
- A Choral Performance by Perak’s Promising Choirs, on 19 June (Sunday) at Dewan Leong Wan Chin (Perak Girls’ School) from 2pm-5pm
- An evening with the German Youth Choir, on 20 June (Monday) at the Syuen Hotel, 8pm
For further enquiries/reservations, do contact PSPA: 05-5487814 / pspa2011fest@gmail.com