Tony Then

Anthony Then (16 June 1944 – 16 December 1995) was a Singaporean actor, dancer, choreographer and dance teacher who co-founded the Singapore Dance Theatre.

Early life and education

Then grew up in a family of five siblings to parents who were fans of music (such as Latin, ballroom and rock and roll) and ballroom dancing, in particular the tango. As children at their parents' request, Then and his siblings performed dancing whenever they had guests. As a teenager, he learnt to play a number of musical instruments from the piano to accordion and castanets to maracas. However, it was his discovery of mambo music that strengthened his passion for dancing.

Whilst studying at St. Joseph's Institute, Then performed with his sister Yvonne in school concerts as part of the Literary, Debating and Dramatic Society, having learnt to tap-dance. Aged 14, he enrolled in the Singapore Ballet Academy (SBA) (where his sister was a student), staying for six years, studying under its founders and alongside peers including Goh Soo Khim and Goh Choo San. From there, he received a Royal Academy of Dance advanced certificate.

Despite having a short career as a draughtsman, Tony became overwhelmed by his interest in ballet. With his parents' blessing, he moved to England to study at Rambert Ballet, receiving scholarship in 1965. This was followed by stints, dancing with Scottish Ballet, London's West Theatre Ballet and Bremen Ballet Company. which opened March 1988. Under their leadership, the company aimed to train dancers and budding choreographers. While teaching ballet, Then used the four D's to teach prospective students: desire to dance, determination, dedication and discipline.

Among Then's works for the company were Concerto for VII (1988), Schumann Impressions (1990) and notably, The Nutcracker. Directed by the choreographer/dancer, the production, staged in 1992, its centenary year at Kallang Theatre featured a cast of 140, consisting of dance teachers, students (including toddlers) and professional dancers from more than 40 ballet groups and schools. Running to two hours and costing S$350,000, it was the most expensive dance production at the time. A second production was staged two years later, again with Then at the helm.

In August 1995, Then retired as co-artistic director of SDT.

Death

Then died on 16 December 1995 of unknown cause at the city's Communicable Disease Centre.