GEORGE TOWN: IT was an exhilarating and therapeutic time for doctors and others from the medical profession who had shed off their stethoscopes and white coats for fancy costumes for a charity musical recently.
The guests got down and boogied at the Dewan Sri Pinang.
Organised by the Penang Family Health Development Association (FHDA), the doctors, medical consultants and medical students performed in a concert called Viva La Penang — A Charity Musical Evening with Doctors.
Some 80 doctors and members of the medical fraternity were taken down memory lane to the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.
The curtain opened with a lively Viva La Penang, 1940s Shanghai, a P. Ramlee tribute and a nostalgic 1940s Penang.
The second half of the event took the audience back to ancient Egypt and the time of Cleopatra, followed by a dance festival featuring paso doble, jazz, Latin and the popular cha cha.
China’s legendary Justice Pao came next, followed by the bright and breezy tune, Better Man, and the soothing ballad, Where Do I Begin.
The penultimate performance revived excerpts from the famous musical Phantom of the Opera and the finale Masquerade closed the show.
Despite being amateurs, the doctors gave a rousing performance.
FHDA organising chairman Dr Gan Kam Ling said the event was to raise funds to help the association provide screening, counselling, treatment, referrals and follow-ups on sexual health.
“The doctors and other medical staff and friends have volunteered to contribute to this show in aid of the FHDA.
“The funds will also help FHDA’s outreach programme at an elderly home and its building fund.”
FHDA president Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Maidin said the association needed its own building to conduct community services and to meet the needs and care of mobile but “home alone” senior citizens.
FHDA chairperson Yeap Meng Chee said organising the show was no easy task for a small group of volunteers and an under-staffed office.
“It had been five months of laughter and tears all rolled into one for the team, choreographers, doctors, FHDA organising secretariat staff and the organising committee.
“The performers have given so much to our association,” she said.
Joe Sidek directed the musical, while Darwen Tolentino was choreographer and Joanne Kam Poh Poh was emcee.
