May Blossom Revue

This Shanghai troupe toured Southeast Asia twice during the 1930s.

In 1933 the troupe, which was “said to be one of the best in China of about 30 Chinese dancers and actors, both male and female, are at present in Singapore and giving performances at the Tivoli Hall. They have just successfully toured Saigon and Bangkok and will be here about a week before going up-country.” [Straits Times, May 29, 1933, p. 12]

They returned in 1936 with a smaller troupe: MAY BLOSSOM REVUE – Troupe of Twelve Modern Chinese Girls (from the leading Shanghai theatres) – Tonight and Tomorrow – Novelty numbers showing for the first time in Singapore – Beautiful & original Chinese dances in pure Chinese costumes – Change of programme nightly – Don’t miss a show that you rarely see even in China today. [Straits Times, March 29, 1936, p. 6]

Performed at:

• Early 1933 – In Bangkok & Saigon en route to Singapore

• May 1933 – Tivoli Theatre, Singapore. They “will be here about a week before going up-country [i.e. Malaya]”

• July 1933 – Penang. “This party is the first Chinese Opera to tour Malaya, having visited Singapore and Ipoh, where it had successful extended seasons…” [Pinang Gazette, July 5, 1933, p. 5]

• Returned in 1936: March–April 1936 – Great World, Singapore

RARE TREAT – Best Yet Seen In Penang – The Mayblossom Dancing and Singing Society of Shanghai opened a season yesterday. This party is the first Chinese Opera to tour Malaya, having visited Singapore and Ipoh, where it had successful extended seasons. The party, which consists of over thirty talented and versatile artistes, are a well-organised selected company of some of the best talents in the opera community in Shanghai. The Love Academy, the play presented last night, is a musical comedy… It is safe to say that as a musical play, it compares favourably with the best musical productions of Hollywood seen on the local screen. [Pinang Gazette, July 5, 1933, p. 5]

REVUE AT GREAT WORLD – The theatre at the Great World, Singapore, was packed last night when the Tommy’s Revue Company together with the May Blossom Opera Company of Shanghai opened a short season. The entertainment, which is the brightest of its kind seen in Singapore for many months, opened with a spectacular chorus number in which singing and drill dancing were well combined. Then followed a clever juggling act by the Grubel brothers whose versatility was demonstrated when they mystified the audience with conjuring tricks. At the end of the second performance, the stars of the company gave three vaudeville turns at the Cabaret, and here again the Hula Hula dance captivated the audience. [Straits Times, March 21, 1936, p. 13]

REVUE AT GREAT WORLD – The May Blossom Revue which is performing at the Great World Cabaret have had such success that their season has been extended to April 3. The revue is drawing crowded houses nightly, the dances set to Chinese music and costumes being especially popular. [Straits Times, March 31, 1936, p. 13]