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Singapore
theatre lost a great mentor when playwright KUO
Pao Kun died on Tuesday at 10.10pm. He was 63.
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His
death shocked members of the arts community,
including those whose work has taken them
offshore, even though it was known KUO had been
battling with kidney and liver cancer for a long
time.
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KUO
is survived by his wife, dancer GOH Lay Kuan, and
daughters, dancer-choreographer Jing Hong and
filmmaker Jian Hong. The wake is being held at
Block 258 Bishan Street 22. The cremation will be
at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See temple in Bright
Hill Road on 15 Sep 2002 at 2.00pm.
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We
list below his milestones:
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1939
- Born in Xiaoguo village in Hebei, China
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1947
- Leaves for Beijing with his mother
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1949
- Arrives in Singapore to live with his father in
High Street
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1950
- Starts schooling in Catholic High School
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1955
- Transfers to Chung Cheng High School
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1957
- Sent to Hongkong by his father to keep him away
from student politics. He returns to Singapore and
lives on his own
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1959
- Leaves Singapore for Melbourne to take up post
of Chinese translator-announcer for Radio
Australia
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1963
- Studies at National Institute of Dramatic Art
and becomes engaged to dancer GOH Lay Kuan
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1965
- Returns to Singapore, marries GOH and together
co-found the Singapore Performing Arts School
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1967
- Daughter Jian Hong born
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1971
- Daughter Jing Hong born
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1972
- Co-founds multi-disciplinary Selatan Arts
Ensemble
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1976
- Detained without trial under the Internal
Security Act for alleged communist activities.
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1977
- Singapore citizenship taken away from him
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1980
- Released with conditions restricting residence
and travel
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1981
- Resumes teaching drama at his school
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1983
- Restrictions withdrawn
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1985
- Submits proposal to set up arts centre at
disused power station in Armenian Street
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1986
- Founds semi-professional Practice Theatre
Ensemble
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1989
- Appointed artistic director of The Substation
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1990
- Awarded Cultural Medallion (Drama)
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1992
- Singapore citizenship reinstated. Awarded Asean
Culture Award (Performing Arts)
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1995
- Resigns as artistic director of The Substation
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1997
- Awarded a knighthood of arts and letters, or
Chevalier des Arts et des lettres, by the French
government
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2002
- Received Excellence for Singapore award in
August
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Source:
The
Straits Times
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