The Hosts of Singapore Past

The Lion City’s own Dim Sum Dollies eat to their memories’ beat, revealing some of their favourite spots as they prepare for their upcoming show – The History Of Singapore.  

Selena Tan

“Ever since I was a young schoolgirl, I’ve loved exploring Singapore’s Empress Place. The Victoria Theatre is one of the oldest theatres in Singapore and it never fails to give me a sense of the country’s recent history.  

I also have a soft spot for the Victoria Concert Hall. It was the first venue I ever performed at – at the tender age of 10 years! I also enjoy strolling by the water, imagining Sir Stamford Raffles travelling on the Singapore River by sampan and alighting at Empress Place. The thought of him attending to his daily business in this way would make me smile over lunch, while I dined at the old Empress Place hawker centre – now Indochine Waterfront. It’s a pity he never got to try the hawker centre’s killer char kway teow (fried flat noodles)!

Then there’s the old Fullerton Post Office, one of Singapore’s first major buildings and very majestic to this day. Finally, across the bridge is where the old esplanade used to be. I have wonderful memories of the yummy Satay Club and I love to stop and ponder at the war memorials lining this lovely tree-shaded walkway. Now the esplanade’s skyline includes the commanding presence of the Esplanade Theatres by the Bay, so I still find it an inspiring walk – especially when I’m dreaming up new shows.” www.visitsingapore.com

Pam Oei

“Some of my fondest childhood memories are of my primary school days, which were spent within the old, weathered, safe walls of the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) – now known as CHIJmes – on Victoria Street. My old school is now home to the SMRT Corporation – overseeing Singapore’s public transport – and numerous bars and restaurants. The loud music and conflicting aromas of good food, cigarette smoke and alcohol makes it a far cry from what CHIJmes once was before it closed as a Catholic girls’ school in 1983!In August 1852, Reverend Jean Marie Beurel of St Brieuc, Brittany paid $4,000 for the house at the corner of Victoria Street and Bras Basah Road. Two years later, three nuns – led by Reverend Mother St Mathilde Raclot – converted it into a convent, orphanage and private educational institution. Today, CHIJ – reestablished at Toa Payoh Lorong 1 – continues to educate thousands of girls. But there are very few nuns left.

Now when I visit CHIJmes for a drink I reminisce about the times I spent playing hopscotch on the perfectly-sized red, clay tiles, the many five-stone games I won and lost and the “yay yay” games I never won – because I was always too short. Then there were the countless sessions of Rounders and the notes we’d “fly” to classmates through the cracks in the 150-year old wooden floorboards of the second floor classrooms. The entrance facing Victoria Street flooded every time it rained and we’d often sneak into the St Nicholas (secondary school) canteen to buy tasty chicken wings. But the scariest – and perhaps the fondest – memory, is of the terrifying walk up the spiral staircase to Sister Valentine’s room, who sold handmade dolls and toys. To a little girl she seemed 120 years old!” www.chijmes.com.sg

Emma Young

 “My favourite historical spot in Singapore is Fort Canning. I believe it’s still one of the most beautiful areas in the Lion City, with its lush greenery, wide open spaces and some of the oldest trees outside of the Botanic Gardens. Not only was Fort Canning of great significance in our military history, it served as a Christian cemetery and is also believed to be the burial site of Malay kings.

No wonder it gets a little spooky there after dusk when the air is thick with mystery and romance! It’s a great place for quiet walks and romantic picnics. And I actually experienced my first kiss with my junior college sweetheart in one of the little cupolas – a favoured spot for courting couples and newlyweds.

Fort Canning was also where I was introduced to local theatre. Ong Keng Sen’s avant-garde and atmospheric theatre productions allowed us to traverse the underground bunkers of the fort, where he staged site-specific pieces about the Japanese Occupation. And when Theatreworks was located at Fort Canning, I attended many auditions and rehearsals there. The small Black Box theatre at the top of the hill is a wonderfully intimate space, bringing both actors and audience members closer to one another – physically and emotionally!

Last year I had the chance to perform Shakespeare in the park, playing fairy queen Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It was an unforgettable experience, acting in one of history’s finest plays, under the stars, with the audience sitting around us on the grass. Fort Canning will always be special to me.”

DON’T MISS

The History of Singapore Feb 21-28 The Dim Sum Dollies spice up the Lion City theatre scene, with song, dance and social commentary in this hilarious production highlighting Singapore’s “history”. Esplanade Theatre. Tickets: $38-$98. www.sistic.com.sg

Do you have a Singapore Secret you’d like to share? Send details (700 words) plus images to mjones-white@acpmagazines.com.sg and you could be published in an upcoming issue of The Finder!

Posted on Feb 08