Sheums Circus

September 04, 2022 circus Early Entertainment

Shanghai-born, Mr. Sheum Cheng Fook first started out as a strongman in an acrobatic show in Hong Kong at the age of 19. In 1927, when the troupe performed in Penang, he decided to start his own circus in a small way- with a pair of tigers he bought with his life savings. Sheum Cheang Fook held a reception on 1 August 1941 at the New World to celebrate the grand opening of his circus in Singapore where more than 50 Chinese artistes will perform. Mr. Sheum's circus is back again in Singapore after an absence of 3 years where it tour China and the Philippines. The longest place it stay during this particular was in Hong Kong were it stayed for 11 months. After the war, a penniless Mr. Sheum went to Thailand and gave acrobatic shows. With the earnings and help of friends, he managed to re-built his circus again post war.

Veteran Malaysian circus owner and performer, Mr. Sheum Cheang Fook announced his retirement at the age of 70 after spending 51 years of his life at the big top. He handed over the circus to his son, Henry (29) who also replaces his father as the circus' animal trainer. Mr. Sheum announced his retirement on September 1970 after flying in from Indonesia where the circus is currently performing.

Sheums Circus was popularly known as "Sim Siong Hock" in Hokkien (but i don't really know the reason why is this so and if anyone of you might know, do leave a comment below).

Sheum's Circus (18 February 1953)

Sheum's Circus (source: National Archives, Singapore)

Sheum Cheang Fook and his wife on his retirement

Sheum Cheang Fook and family

Circus Troupe members

Liau Tong Seng and Han Yuen Choy together with tiger cubs, Bobo and Katchi (1954)

1948

Family

Daughter: Sheum Yu Kwei
Miss Sheum Yu Kwei (2nd daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sheum Cheang Fook) married Mr. Lawrence Neng (eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. B.F Neng ) on 3rd March 2605 (1945). Lawrence Neng or William Lawrence Neng, a Hong Kong-born son of a Chinese business tycoon met Miss Sheum in the Philippines. At that time she was one of Asia's leading equestrians and aerialist. He became an acrobat but showed his true forte in producing acts and was soon manager of the circus. In 1947, the circus went on a tour of the United States, but Lawrence was called back to China by his parents in Yunan. He returned to Hong Kong the following year and joined the judiciary there for 10 years before joining a legal firm. In 1961, news of a typhoon at Formosa (Taiwan) badly damaged the circus while it was on tour there. Equipment was destroyed or damaged by floodwaters and animals killed. The family called on Mr. Lawrence Neng to rejoin the organisation with the task of rebuilding. He took over the reigns and converted it into a limited company and became its Managing Director with a focus of a compact circus staffed and performed by Asians.

Lawrence Neng

In the news

Escaped Tiger Shot At Seletar (23 March 1944)

After being at large for 3 weeks, the tiger which had escaped from Sheum's Circus who was having a season at the Yamato Amusement Park in Seletar was shot at 11 am by Nippon Sailors who were guarding the Seletar. Although the tiger which had been at large since 1 March, there have been no report of the beast killing humans. The tiger even created a scare when it was seen in the vicinity of the Syonan Jinya a fortnight ago.

Widow (21) Is Star of Trapeze Act (21 November 1948)

Tan Yoke Wan, 21 year old trapeze artist is one of the stars of Sheum's Circus. She is carrying on the act her husband, Kwong Yu Wan used to perform before he lost his balance and dived to the ground, fracturing his skull while performing at Thailand, 8 months ago.

Girl mauled by Circus Tiger (22 August 1950)

A 15 year old Chinese girl, Yeoh Kam Ho was mauled by a tiger when she went to Sheum Circus to see the animals. Unknowingly she stepped too closed to the cage and it pounced on her catching her shoulders. She was sent to the hospital and reported to be recovering. This happened at Telok Anson, Perak.

Tigers Maul Circus Stuntman (reported on 4 August 1951)

A tiger and Tigress belong to Sheum's Circus severely mauled the of Veerasamy, an acrobat and stuntman. The stuntman was standing near the cage when suddenly the tiger put one if its paws between the bars and clawed Veerasamy's right arm

Death of $10,000 ape is a mystery (27 November 1952)

Kobis, a performing orang utan valued at $10,000 died after an undiagnosed complaint. When attended by a Singapore veterinary doctor, it was suspected that he was suffering from intestinal cancer.

Smoking Baboon Hit Owner in the eye (13 February 1953)

Chico, a black baboon hit Mr. Sheum Cheong Fook near his left eye that nearly blinded hi, Chico,along with Felix, another baboon, and Sushi a chimpanzee for $24,00 to replace his pet orang-utan, Kobis, who died recently.

Boy clawed by lioness at circus (18 March 1954)

A 7 year old boy, Tan Quee Huat was badly clawed by a lioness belonging to the Sheum Circus when the circus was at Outram Road.

A goodbye smile (19 March 1954)

Yeu Lin,19 year old daughter of circus manager, Mr. A. Sheum, together with her pet baby elephant, Jenny.

Two circus elephants electrocuted (1 May 1961)

Two elephants became entangled with an electric wire cable near their tent when Sheum Circus was at Sandakan. Death was instantaneous.

Circus girl dies after 20ft practice fall

An 18 year old trapeze girl, Lai Sin Keo died at the General Hospital on 14 December 1967, 6 days after a fall from a suspended platform about 20 feet above ground during a practice act.

Boxing in Sheum Circus

There were a number of boxing fights in the Sheum circus especially during the Japanese occupation and post war in 15 January 1953.

What happened to Sheums Circus?

I still know very little about the history and story of Sheum Circus and what happened to it and when it cease to exist. I will update this blog article when i find more information.