Mata Hari Kronchong Party

Javanese musical party which performed in Singapore during 1939.

MATA HARI KRONCHONG PARTY OF JAVA – What promises to be one of the best Kronchong Parties from Java to have visited Malaya will be seen at the New World Arena tomorrow night… For the first time in Malaya, eight Java ladies will be seen handling musical instruments. They will render selections. Amongst some of the leading singers of Batavia, Bandoeng, and Sourabaya are Miss Che Che, Mata Roda, Lim Sam Neo, Miss Ribbut, Miss Sarmini, Miss Yeti, Miss Bandoeng, Mr. Djajadi, Warming together with four others. Most of the singers are winners of various competitions held in Pasir Gambiar etc. Little Boy Arsad is the only lad in Java who competed against grown-ups and won a prize. A feature of the show will be the appearance of musicians who were specially chosen from some of the well-known musical parties in Java including the Three Bass Wonders. [Malaya Tribune, June 29, 1939, p. 7]

NEW WORLD Scores Again! Mata Hari Kronchong Party of Java presents “Java By Night” – Also presenting to Malaya the sweetest, snappiest kronchong music and the much talked of film actress, radio and stage singers of Java, singers who have won diplomas, etc. It took three months to pick out the best singers and musicians of Java, including the nine-year-old wonder and Java’s funniest clown, some of the well-known singers of the D.E.I., Miss Che Che “Film Star,” Mata Roda, Miss Lim Sam Neo, Miss Ribut, Miss Sarmini, Djajadi, Saramono, Miss Yeti, Arsad, Momoh and many others – A troupe of 23 – Opening June 30. [Straits Times, June 25, 1939, p. 4]

Appeared at the New World from June 30 to July 4, 1939.

The orchestra from the troupe also performed separately on one occasion as an accompaniment to public dancing: “New World Dance Palace – Mata Hari Kronchong Orchestra of Java will render dance music during the Tea & Night Dances on Thursday, June 29th.” [Malaya Tribune, June 24, 1939, p. 9]