Lao Jiu (1993)

Lao Jiu, the ninth child and only son of the family, is of outstanding intelligence and carries the hopes of his parents and siblings. Sacrifices are made by his family in the fond hopes that he will achieve the honour of academic success. Alas, to his family’s disappointment, he abandons his scholastic pursuits for his love of the traditional art form of hand puppetry. 

This powerful and emotive work explores the issues of power play, psychological pressure, guilt, and the choice between family and one’s destiny.

Director: Ong Keng Sen
Writer/Translator: Kuo Pao Kun
Music Directors/Soloists: Lee Poon Kay, Mark Chan
Music Composer: Mark Chan 

Set Design: Jimmy Ong
Light Design: Lim Yu Beng, Tracie Howitt
Sound Design: Tan Choon Ping 
Battle Choreographer: Choy Yien Chow 
Martial Arts Master: Choy Yien Chow 
Tai Chi Master: Rennie Cheong 
Opera Master (Males): Choy Yien Chow 
Opera Master (Females): Choy Peck Har 
Dialect Coach: Choo Ping Chuen 
Traditional Glove Puppetry Master: Lee Geok Eng 

Cast:
Casey Lim
Constance Wee
Johnson Choo
Kate James
K Rajagopal
Lee Wen
Lim Kay Siu
Robin Goh
Margaret Chan
Tan Kheng Hua 
Wendy Ng

Musicians: Teck Ghee CC Chinese Orchestra 
Puppetry Research: Toy Factory Theatre Ensemble 
War Horse Effects Creation: Toy Factory Theatre Ensemble 
War Horse Effects Operation: Terence Tay, Serena Chong 
War Horse Costume: Hayden Ng
War Horse Armour: Toy Factory Theatre Ensemble 
Naive Puppets: Toy Factory Theatre Ensemble 
Brothers & Sisters (2D) Puppets & Canvas: Dahlia Osman, Geraldine Lau, Jacinta Loo, Jeannie Ho, Terence Tay
Masks: Chan Man Loon
String Puppeteers: June Wan, Rachel Leong 
Carpenter: Rafaat B Hamzah 

Production Manager: Lok Meng Chue 
Technical Manager: Lim Yu Beng 
Stage Manager: Gloria Chee 
Assistant Stage Manager (Puppets): Terence Tay
Assistant Stage Manager (Costumes): Patrina Lim

Lighting Operator: Paul Chang 
Sound Operators: Koh Joo Kim, Tan Choon Ping 
Technical Assistants: Rafaat B Hamzah, Richard Chee 
Stage Assistants (Puppets): June Wan, Rachel Leong, Serena Chong 
Dresser: Anabelle Tan 

Poster/Flyer/Programme Design: Johnny Lau
Artist: Jimmy Ong 
Editor: Lesley Yeow 
Writers: Lesley Yeow, Tan Choon Ping
Foyer Installation: Dahlia Osman, Geraldine Lau, Jacinta Loo, Jeannie Ho, Jimmy Ong 
FOH Manager: Leslie Lee
Ticketing Manager: Janie Teo
Publicity Manager: Michele Lim

(Source: T:>Archive)