Laugh, learn and be transported back to time to experience iconic duo Wang Sha and Ye Feng’s comedic mastery. Often referred to as the Laurel and Hardy of the East, they dominated pop culture of the 1960s and 1970s, making numerous appearances on stage and television with their unique Singapore-style comedy.
Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) spotlights the local comedian pioneers in two new projects this July – a documentary, jointly produced with Mediacorp, and a special exhibition that showcases their journey in entertainment history and impact on local Chinese culture.
Legends of Singapore Comedy 逗笑人间60年 (to be screened on Channel 8 and available on mewatch) will trace Wang Sha and Ye Feng’s legendary career that brought much laughter to Singaporeans. Featuring original footage, film memorabilia, posters and in-depth interviews with Mrs Wang Sha, Jack Neo, Robert Chua and more, this joint production between SCCC and Mediacorp will revive memories for those who had a chance to watch them perform in their heyday, while introducing younger generations to the local icons who significantly shaped the Singapore and regional entertainment scene.
A four-month special exhibition Legends of Singapore Comedy: An Exhibition on Wang Sha & Ye Feng 逗笑人间：王沙野峰特展 will also be held at SCCC from Jul 6 to Nov 5, 2024. The exhibition showcases the lives of Wang Sha and Ye Feng and highlights their memorable performances and impact across four different periods. It highlights key milestones in their professional lives and offers insights into the development of Singapore’s entertainment scene through the years. The exhibition includes memorabilia showcasing the duo’s stage and screen performances.
Explore early getai performances which showed the duo’s talents when performing on stage and discover their rise to fame in the 1960s as the “Television Duo” who pioneered television skits in Singapore. Experience their film career which took off in Hong Kong during the 1970s with movies that reflected everyday aspirations of the man on the street. Visitors can even scan a QR code to listen to their comedic acts in dialect. Finally, follow their return to Singapore in the 1980s and 1990s, where they continued to charm their audience and inspire future comedians.
Legends of Singapore Comedy 逗笑人间60年 will be screened on Channel 8 on Jul 16, 23 and 30 Jul, 2024, 8.30pm. The documentary will also be available on mewatch on the aforementioned days, and on Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube Channel, from Jul 22, 5 pm with new episodes uploaded weekly.
Legends of Singapore Comedy: An Exhibition on Wang Sha & Ye Feng 逗笑人间：王沙野峰特展 runs from Jul 6 to Nov 5, 2024, at SCCC Concourse, Level 1. Admission is free.
All photos courtesy of Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre.
