‘All That Glitz & Glamour On The Silver Screen’ features 18 veteran and up-and-coming local performers. (Dama Asia pic)

PETALING JAYA:

During the 1920-30s, Shanghai was a city on the rise. Known as ‘The Paris of the East’, this once tiny agricultural village was developing into one of the most thriving financial centres in East Asia.

As people from all over the world flocked there for trade, its culture, music and cinema began to thrive. One of the most prominent developments in the region at the time was shidaiqu.

Literally translating to ‘music of the era’, this Mandarin musical style, born from a confluence of traditional Chinese music and Western jazz, began to surge in popularity.

This surge was bolstered by many of its songs being featured in the soundtracks of well-loved films of the time.

This month, both shidaiqu and classic Far East cinema take their moment in the spotlight again in “All That Glitz & Glamour On The Silver Screen.”

This concert by Dama Asia celebrates the Mandarin Golden Oldies era (1930s-1960s) by showcasing signature shidaiqu hits from popular films of yesteryear.

Relive the days of stars such as Zhou Xuan, Bai Guang, Li Xianglan, Yao Lee and Lin Dai as the show embarks on a musical journey, from the days of black-and-white films up to glorious technicolour.

(L-R) Dama Asia music director Gan Boon We, director Pun Kai Loon and producer/musical director Khor Seng Chew. (Dama Asia pic)

“The theme of this show is how shidaiqu music and the film industry, coupled by the radio broadcasting segment, all helped to boost each other’s popularity, and eventually resulted in shidaiqu music achieving widespread fame,” said Pun Kai Loon, Dama Asia’s artistic director and director.

The show marks a return to the stage after three years for Dama Asia, and also serves as a fundraiser for the production house, whose business was badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We hope people will come and help to support us, so we can continue to subsist and continue productions like this. Many of us in the arts industry have been badly affected by what has happened over the last few years,” said Khor Seng Chew, Dama Asia’s producer and music director.

Khor grew up listening to Shidaiqu. Pun, on the other hand, discovered this music in a different way. “I know these songs because my father would always sing them in the bathroom, and they subconsciously got in my head,” he said with a laugh.

(L-R) Rich Mah, Jojo Wong, Aliceyee and Stefano Chen lend their talents to the concert. (Dama Asia pic)

Audiences can expect spirited song and dance performances of hits such as “Rose Rose I Love You” (from the film “Wandering Singing Lady”), “Don’t Rush” (Misty Night Murder), “Lover’s Tears” (The Lark), “Spring Time” (Cross Road) and “Ode to Spring” (The Truth).

Another highlight, Khor and Pun shared, was a whimsical medley of songs all revolving around selling street food.

The musical also serves as a callback to one of their most prominent shows, “Spring Kisses Lovers Tears”, a highly successful 1997 golden oldies production which would reset the foundations for Dama Asia as a production house.

“Doing Mandarin golden oldies was a natural idea for us. We hadn’t been doing songs from these eras for a while. So, I thought, if we were going to make a comeback, why not go back to these songs, which is how many people first got to know us. I think it would be great to go on a journey of musical history, which I think many young people are not familiar with,” said Pun.

The show, which Pun describes as ‘docu-tainment’, part documentary-part entertainment, takes place in a movie-making studio, with commentary on the history and importance of famous shidaiqusongs provided throughout.

‘All That Glitz & Glamour On The Silver Screen’ also serves as a fundraiser for Dama Asia.

Its cast is a star-studded blend of both veteran and up-and-coming performers, comprising Aliceyee, Angie Cheah, Bui Yik Ling, Evelyn Toh, Jojo Wong, Joven Leong, Kara Yee, Yee Fen, Madelyn Jiahuey, yonlynn, Yuni Wun, Dr Ben Gee, Chan, Liow Jun Yi, Sean Toh, Stefano Chen, Will Teh and Rich Mah. Ian Ng serves as the show’s narrator.

The reason for such a large and diverse cast, Khor explained, was because the show covered a remarkable three decades of musical history, and so featured a varied selection of songs and styles.

Performers Kara Yee, Angie Cheah and Jojo Wong prepare for a glitzy number. (Dama Asia pic)

“Even if you aren’t familiar with shidaiqu, or don’t know much about music of the era, there’s still a lot for you in this show. I think you will be fascinated by the high quality of the composition of the music of those days, and that will be quite an eye-opener.

“And if you are an academic or someone interested in the period, you may be fascinated by the historical background and information. Simply put, there’s a lot to be enjoyed here,” said Pun.

‘All That Glitz & Glamour On The Silver Screen’

Tickets: RM88-RM288 and are available here.

Showtimes: