WIRED FOR MUSIC

Tan Guan Keng, 80, a senior volunteer at LB AAC @ Bendemeer 32 of 20 years,
previously enjoyed a 35-year career as a Chinese opera performer.

If you happen to live in Bendemeer or its vicinity, you might probably call to mind a towering performer dressed as Sun Wu Kong exhibiting deft and agile moves during the Mid-Autumn Festival! This performer is none other than Tan Guan Keng, 80, a LB senior volunteer! 

Poised and confident, he would effortlessly command the stage, captivating his fellow seniors with his performances. 

“Growing up, I knew my destiny was to be a performer,” Guan Keng recounted with a twinkle in his eye. “My fascination with Chinese opera (Dà Xì) (大戲) began at the tender age of three. My mother and aunt would frequently take me to these mesmerising performances, where I would be enthralled from 8PM until midnight!” 

He paused, a nostalgic smile gracing his lips. “Back in the olden days, when dogs roamed freely and streetlights were a rarity, I remember a particularly frightening incident. My aunt, who was cycling, and I were chased by a pack of stray dogs. Despite the fear, I was determined to continue attending these performances, eager to experience the magic again the next day.” 

This unwavering passion for the stage culminated in a golden opportunity when Guan Keng’s teacher selected him to perform on the school’s stage for Children’s Day. Under the guidance of his dedicated teacher, he learned to sing and dance, blossoming into a budding young artist. 

However, his artistic pursuits were temporarily halted when he had to drop out of school to support his family. “My father had left our family of six and as the eldest, I felt a deep sense of responsibility to help my mother,” Guan Keng explained. “Although my mother worked tirelessly, I knew I had to do my part to provide additional support.” 

At the age of 12, Guan Keng took on odd jobs like working at a fishball store, mamak store, and even a candle store. But he never forgot about his dream. In fact, when a newspaper advertisement showed that a Chinese opera dance troupe was looking to hire people, Guan Keng knew that it was his calling. 

However, his mother vehemently opposed his aspirations. For a 16-year-old boy, joining the dance troupe meant leaving the familiar comforts of home and embarking on a life of uncertainty, living with other performers. 

Fortunately, his grandfather, recognising Guan Keng’s irrepressible spirit, gave the greenlight for his venture. “Your playfulness,” his grandfather declared, “is simply too much to be contained within the confines of this house.”

 

No Pain, No Gain 

Embarking on his new journey as an aspiring Chinese opera performer, Guan Keng faced a rigorous training regime. 

Each morning, he would rise at 5 AM and begin his day with a demanding physical exercise: balancing two pails of water, one on his head and one in his hands, while maintaining a half-squat position with his back straight. 

This challenging posture, held until an incense stick burned completely, could last for an hour or more, testing his strength and endurance. 

Following this arduous task, he would perform a series of demanding calisthenics. Handstands against the wall, a staple of his training, were held for a grueling 30 minutes. 

To further hone his agility and acrobatic skills, he was required to execute five consecutive front and back flips. As his training progressed, this number would gradually increase, eventually reaching a demanding 50 repetitions! 

“The training was tough, but I was tougher. I knew I had the talent, so I persevered,” said Guan Keng confidently. This rigorous morning routine, which typically concluded by 10 AM, would then be followed by a brief respite. 

During this break, Guan Keng would eagerly interact with his seniors and juniors, his playful spirit often shining through, though occasionally landing him in trouble. 

Once, he was caught tickling his junior sister while they were doing a handstand against the wall, and he was punished to stand in the scorching sun as a consequence! 

In the afternoon, he would head to the nearby seashore to practice breathing exercises, which trains his vocal power. 

“Back then, there was just one microphone on stage, so the sound didn’t carry very well, especially in those big fields. If you train your vocal volume in the sea, it’ll get louder, and your lung capacity will improve as well,” said Guan Keng. 

Afterwards, he would head for makeup classes, which in turn surprised everyone as he had a natural artistic talent, flawlessly applying his stage makeup. 

Before long, he was immersed in the world of stage combat, armed with swords and spears. He diligently practiced the art of jabbing and dodging, honing his reflexes and precision. 

“Of course, there were a few minor mishaps along the way,” Guan Keng recalled with a chuckle. “One time, during a performance, I wasn’t quick enough to dodge a sword, and it grazed my nose. I was bleeding, but the show must go on! So I pressed on with the performance. To my surprise, the audience seemed to think it was all part of the act.” 

Guan Keng’s, then 31, played the role of the emperor’s younger brother, Huangye, in a self-written play on the Ming Dynasty year.

Guan Keng, then 31, portrayed a role in
‘The Second Prince’s Bid for the Throne’ in 1977.

Beyond the Limelight

Performing for an audience of 500 people was no small feat, yet Guan Keng possessed a natural stage presence at the age of 19.

Confidence and flair exuded from him, but his debut performance was anything but effortless. 

“I remember being completely frozen by the stage wings,” he recalled. “Someone had to give me a gentle nudge to push me onto the stage. But once I was out there, it was as if my body took over; the choreography seemed to flow through me effortlessly, ingrained as it was in my muscle memory.”

Performing nightly from 8 PM to midnight, both locally and internationally, including tours to Kuala Lumpur and Indonesia, kept him busy for the next 35 years. 

Guan Keng performed the role of Sun Wukong at the
 Mid-Autumn Festival held at LB AAC @ Bendemeer 32 
on September 11, 2024.

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Guan Keng performed the role of Sun Wukong at the
 Mid-Autumn Festival held at LB AAC @ Bendemeer 32 
on September 11, 2024.


Despite the demanding schedule, he found the experience immensely rewarding. Eventually, he retired from full-time performing arts at the age of 51 in 1996, coinciding with the rise of television, which gradually diminished the popularity of Chinese opera. 

His passion for the arts, however, remained undiminished. Though he pursued a career as a bus driver, he readily lent a helping hand whenever his friends sought his assistance in the arts scene, whether it involved stepping in as a performer or assisting with logistical matters. 

“I truly miss the thrill of performing in front of a large audience,” Guan Keng chuckled. 

“So, for the past 20 years, I would volunteer my time at LB AAC @ Bendemeer 32 as a performer. By participating in various festive seasons like Mid-Autumn Festival, Halloween, and Christmas and others, I get to relive the joy of performing and bring happiness to others!”

We hope that these stories would inspire you to reach out and touch the lives of others.

If you would like to share your thoughts on these stories, please feel free to email us at cp@lb.org.sg

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