For rehearsal purposes we had a quiet place known as the ‘Bamboo Theatre’, a clearing in a bamboo thicket near the camp boundary. As a matter of interest, the dimensions of the stage were about 24 feet front, 18 feet back, 18 feet sides and the height of the Proscenium Arch about eight feet six inches. The stage could be either boxed or winged as the wings were made only of bamboo and matting and were reversible on adjustable bamboo hinges. The lighting came from two, three or more paraffin lamps, borrowed from the Nips or from Major King, the latter being again Chungkai Q.M. The whole exterior, roof and walls, were atap thatched, and from the front looked rather a pleasant, sloping-roofed building. The curtains were made from old green mosquito nets and had to be hidden whenever a high ranking Nip inspected the camp.

The first show I saw from behind the scenes (as ‘Prompt’ alone), was a production of three short plays, all acted and produced by various members of Fizzer’s little company of about ten men. They were The Boy Comes Home, The Playgoers and The Dear Departed. It was these three plays that showed that a remarkably high standard of acting had already been attained, and the leading lady, Bobby Dale, looked as bed-worthy as many of his opposite sex.

But Chungkai was to be woken up in a few weeks by the announcement of the first Leo Frick Production! This was a Musical Comedy entitled Shooting Stars, with a cast of thirty and a Band Presentation on the stage. Written and produced by the Maestro himself, posters all over the camp proclaimed that it would be the hit of the season. Chungkai was interested!