One of the most astounding stories from Changi is that in 180+ weeks in confinement, there were over 240 changes of production. These shows were first recreated from memory, and as the war progressed, increasingly written by POW entertainers, in particular by the AIF Changi Concert Party. Seeing a show was a wildly popular pastime with prisoners, with rosters to ensure everyone got to see one. Prisoners said it was the only time they forgot how hungry they were. Entertainers functioned as morale officers, keeping people laughing and singing, giving them a rare chance for pleasure and joy, which ultimately increased their resilience.

After the war, the two main Changi Concert Party songwriters, Slim de Grey and Ray Tullipan, printed the 24 most popular songs in a book they called the Changi Songbook. We wish to record the entire Changi Songbook for the first time this July 25, 26 and 27 so these songs can become better known.

For the Great War centenary, we recovered the music of FS Kelly. For WW2, our cultural recovery project is to record the Changi Songbook and make these songs available to a new generation. I find them funny, beautiful and catchy. They are wonderfully made, inventive and a delight to work on. I have had them as ear worms for weeks now. They constantly put a smile on my face.

Neil Pigot, who as a young actor in the 1990s toured and recorded with Slim de Grey, pianist Jack Boardman and other members of the Changi Concert Party, is sharing his wealth of knowledge with singers Tobias Cole and Andrew Goodwin, as well as local jazz legends, Miroslav Bukovsky trumpet, John Mackey saxophone, Colin Hoorweg drums, James Luke bass and Bill Risby piano to create these recordings.

Please consider supporting us to give these recordings as a gift to the nation. This “Good Medicine” helped to maintain POWs’ will to live. Nine songs will also be featured in the ‘POW Requiem’ premiere on 29 October, marking 80 years since the start of the Thai Burma Railway.