Rediffusion And Big Fool Lee

Lee Dai Soh telling a Cantonese story at Rediffusion in 1960. Photo courtesy of the National Archives.

My earlier post on the legendary storyteller Lee Dai Soh 李大傻 (literally "Big Fool Lee") attracted a comment from a reader named Jon. Among other things, he asked, "Could you kindly tell whether his recordings are available on CDs anywhere? I'm very keen to get hold of them, if available."

Recently, Mr Roger Sim, Business Development Manager of Rediffusion responded to the comment by saying "Rediffusion is selling Lee Dai Soh 6-CD box sets".

I got in touch with Roger via his email address roger@rediffusion.com.sg and collected 2 sets of the CDs personally from Rediffusion's office today.


The CDs, titled 蛇鬼山斗蛊記 and costing S$18 per set self-collect, came in very attractive packaging.


Rediffusion's office is no longer located in Clemenceau Avenue as shown below in a 1950 photo， courtesy of the National Archives.


Their office was in Clemenceau Avenue up to the late 1980s or early 1990s, I think. Now it is at Morningstar Centre, 12 New Industrial Road:


I met up with a very friendly Roger and we had an hour-long chat (off the air) about the good old days of Rediffusion as well as Roger's plans in moving his business forward.

Roger showed me what Rediffusion is offering now.


It is called Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) service. The above DAB receiver set is provided free-of-charge with a minimum 15-month (1 year + 3 months free) subscription at S$192.60. The set produces crisp, clear and interference-free digital sound which is even more evident when played via an audiophile valve amplifier:


In terms of aesthetics, the receiver set is definitely far better-looking and more compact than the toaster-like boxes of the 1950-60s:


You can have access to 19 "unique informative, music and entertainment content" for as little as 43 cents a day.


Some of the stations provide 24-hour non-stop commercial-free music, ranging from classical, jazz to hip-hop. Of course, the traditional Chinese dialect stations "Gold" (now called "RediGold") and "Silver" (now "RediSilver 25") are included in the package. Personally, I think it is very good value for your money.

If you are interested in Rediffusion's services or the Lee Dai Soh CDs, you may contact Roger directly via his above email address.

You can read more about the history of Rediffusion from this Infopedia link.

Other articles about Rediffusion in my blog are accessible via the following links:

1. I Remember Rediffusion

2. "Grandfathers Telling Stories"

3. Big Fool Lee

4. Rediffusion

Big Fool Lee

I have blogged about Rediffusion and Lei Dai Soh last year. Hence I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that Toy Factory will be staging a play about this legendary storyteller from 2 - 12 Aug 2007. The play is called "Big Fool Lee" (not to be mistaken for "Big Foolie"). This is certainly a show for all sentimental fools. (I'd be a real big fool if I named them here.) Like them, I would very much like to catch the show, if not for the prohibitive ticket prices, that is - they range from $27 - $58.

Anyone willing to sponsor me? How about giving me 4 free tickets, Toy Factory? After all, I am marketing the show for you FOC on my blog, you know?

More details about the show are available here. The text below is extracted from the link:

He built a stage 'on air'.
He used his voice as strength.
He captured the hearts of many with ethnic stories.
He lit up the lights of knowledge.
He was a true culture not only to Singaporeans but also beyond.
He is Big Fool Lee!

Big Fool Lee is about a legendary storyteller, Lei Dai Soh who left an impact on many generations in Singapore with his exceptional charisma. Let Toy Factory take you through an enchanting journey of Lei Dai Soh, from his days of fame to the day he sadly retired from radio.

Lei Dai Soh, an icon whom many might have heard but not know of, had gone through major setbacks in life. He suffered from depression after losing his brother to World War II but he picked himself up and continued to glow in his story-telling career. He mesmerised his listeners with his magnetic voice. He triggered the imagination of many with his unique ability in narrating numerous legends and tales. He later married his wife who was diagnosed with mental illness. He then struggled in a battle with the Speak Mandarin Campaign and was eventually phased out by the introduction of television. This extraordinary man held on to his passion for arts till the day he died. Lei Dai Soh is certainly an honorable icon for his passion, love and respect for arts, life and charity.

Through the eyes of Toy Factory’s production team, learn how we tide the different waves to bring the story of Lei Dai Soh on stage. Travel with us, from this modern society into the 1940s to 1980s, with costumes, sets, lightings and of course, one of the most important elements of a play, music. You will not only be humming along the familiar tunes blending in comfortably with the performance but also be pleasantly surprised by our original music. We deliver what was only audible and imagined to a whole new dimension.

A clash between modern and culture. Toy Factory presents to you the most delicate yet delicious slice of Singaporean history in our very own special ways. Big Fool Lee genuinely pushes you to question your negligence and disregard for life and culture.

《李大傻》是TOY肥料厂2007年度最盛大的一场经典华语舞台剧。我们将以崭新但不失传统的手法把它呈献给观众。

这是关于新加坡一代讲古大师，李大傻一生的舞台剧。故事叙述他如何从无人不知的名讲古，经时代变迁而无奈地从广播事业退休。多年来，李大傻的讲古事业一直没有中断，唯有在日治时期，因为时局动乱，亲弟弟被残暴的日寇杀害，李大傻陷入失去亲人的痛苦中，无法自拔。战后，李大傻收拾心情，重新走进广播室，继续其讲古事业的生涯，这期间他娶妻，无奈妻子患有精神病，感情生活带给他另一个打击。后来，因为新加坡所推广的‘讲华语运动’和电视娱乐的广泛发展而黯然隐退。然而，他却曾以一把充满磁性的声音，精彩地把许许多多的故事传译给千千万万个听众。