There and Back Again-Kallang Theatre

ITs been a long time since i ran around the backstage of Kallang theatre. I could still remember bits of the backstage, nostalgic, sweet memories haunting me. it was like back to the future. The dressing rooms, the smell of make up and hairspray, the odours of costumes worn over and over many times, the props, the stench of dancing shoes, the place where people with the passion to dance gather and showcase their talents (or love).

Stepping back there on 18th of May 2006, Thursday. Perhaps one of the last years I can recall standing there on stage, with an audience applauding was in 1993. I started dancing since I was 5 years old, in Marine Parade Community Centre (it was known as centre then, then it became a club, now it has the library with starbucks!) Started off with Chinese Dance, we were taught the basics, the hankerchief, the red ribbon, the fan and we did special dances like the peacock dance and the mother hen dance, the snail dance (with umbrellas representing the shells), the cute doll dance (yang wa wa). Then we started taking ballet lessons and moved on to contemporary dances and fusion dances. IT was a wonderful experience. Looking back, i really did learn a lot from dancing. I danced from 5 till I was 15. 10 years of my life.

You cant blame me for picking up a red ribbon i saw backstage just now to try out a couple of moves.... it just seemed like yesterday I did my solo with 2 red ribbons (Hong chou). So nice. An the best part is that it seemed so natural to me, I remembered it all.It came back to me so easily. Sighs.....

I remembered sitting backstage in the dressing room and someone's mother is doing make up for me.

I remember that the entire troupe payed respects to an altar backstage and did a kinda group hug thing to wish each other all the best.

I remember them giving me a chinese name, though I hated it.

I remember eating chicken rice in the dressing room and the room smelt like it for days.( we have repeat performances).

I remember running around backstage of Kallang Theatre as though it was my second home, we started rehearsals early and ended late at times.

Kallang was not the only place we performed frequently, over the 10 years, we also gave performances at Victoria Theatre. I wonder what memories it will bring when i step backstage.

Anyway, we performed the last Bollywood dance of the year (hopefully), it was a grand finale for us. All did well. I think TL really put in alot of effort and time into this. Makes me feel small with my almost 50 people in my team and I have no idea the name of half of them. But I'm super bad with names.... even now, I forget some of whom are in my own...... It must the BSE.....

Food Reviews

Ah Hoi
Teochew Food at mosque street in chinatown. Very good sucking pig, crispy skin but it cost ($50) well worth it!!! pity i din bring my camera)Crayfish in really cool sauce etc. We also tried this 8 treasure dessert. interesting.....
Rating: 9.5/10
Service: 10/10
Return: Yes please!!!!! once a month enough to try all their dishes? Quick Sil treat!!!! Cant wait!!!