Behind the scenes of a local Chinese Hokkien opera

In July this year, I was able to go behind the scenes of a local Hokkien opera that has been around for generations. The opportunity came when a friend of mine, Tung informed me about it. It was easier to get around the performing troupe when there were familiar faces. The opera was commissioned to perform for a festival held at Hougang’s Dou Mu Gong, one of the oldest temple dedicated to Dou Mu and Jiu Wang Da Di. On that hot and humid afternoon, there wasn’t any audience but they put on their best act nonetheless. With permission, I was able to enter the back stage (which was just behind the stage’s curtain) to see how the performers got ready for their act. The entire preparation took like less than 30mins and in no time, the music began (a 3 man team) and they were already on the stage doing their part. All the performers were doing this on a volunteering basis, and most of them were in their 60s already, except for a school girl who is in her teens. 

10247250_10152352300180951_8476790068985658991_n-8993665
Weapon props backstage
10388075_10152352300210951_5923858613594821459_n-7329135
Head dresses
10671372_10152352300260951_2871208689446536437_n-8781888
The band
10351394_10152352300315951_7831612511442329191_n-3623991
Chilling on stage when there was no performance
522045_10152352300375951_280542101289727662_n-6991654
The logistic got to work – preparing the costumes
9780_10152352300540951_897922791294108004_n-4032529
The make up began

10347228_10152352300455951_4850190885531824503_n-4625182

10428609_10152352300680951_6583831889835982686_n-5404897
The hair is part of the act too
10441095_10152352300415951_7570778516359701062_n-8421206
Every performer has their own personal make up station
10394468_10152352300740951_7611956755835199426_n-4964822
Waiting for the cue

Prev Drawing comics with ClipStudio Paint
Next Star Wars: The Force Awakens | Portrait of C3P0, the protocol droid

Comments are closed.