interview
BETH NARAIN From spinning discs at The Peninsula Hotel’s nightclub, to living through the ‘67 riots, the handover and SARS, Beth Narain recalls 50 years of Hong Kong. By Shreena Patel.
Tell me about yourself. I was born in Durban, South Africa. I started ballet at the age of 5 in Cape Town and moved to London at 14 to study at the Royal Ballet School. By 17 I was travelling Europe as a dancer. I couldn’t imagine life without music. I grew up surrounded by it: from my mother who loved to dance, to my nanny who - when I was a baby - used to strap me onto her back while she danced and did the housework to African beats. My personal favourite is ‘60s Motown. I love wine, good food (I’d rather not eat if it’s not good) and I’m a TV addict. I love dramas and thrillers.
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What brought you to Hong Kong? I came to Hong Kong in 1966 after my older brother Tokkie Smith, who pioneered the Hong Kong Sevens, invited me here on holiday. I didn’t like it at all when I arrived - it was too conservative for me - but he’d bought me a three-month ticket so I stayed. Tokkie used to take me to parties at the HSBC living quarters up on The Peak but everyone was a lot older and it wasn’t really my crowd.
Given your first impressions of the city, what made you stay? My feelings towards Hong Kong changed when The Scene Discotheque opened in the
basement of The Peninsula Hotel. I attended the opening night in a silver lamé dress I’d bought from the BIBA boutique in London. They asked me if I wanted to spin discs and I said, “yes”. I became manageress and ran the disco for years. I worked every night, except Sundays, from 8pm until 2am - I was already used to the hours because of my dance career. During the day, I worked as a ballet teacher and a choreographer for TVB’s Star Show (a pop show), so I didn’t sleep much! I’m making up for it now - I love a lie in.
Where did you live? At first, I stayed with Tokkie and his wife at their place in Repulse Bay. There was no Cross