Wayang: Chinese Opera

By Don Low, Singapore

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 invited me to sketch with him. He told me he has known them for a while now so it would be easier to get around the performing troupe when there were familiar faces. I was elated and immediately packed and went even though it was a last minute notice. 

The weapons rack

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, since it was a weekday morning, there wasn’t any audience, but that did not stop them from putting on their best act, not for the human audience but for the deities that stand guard at the temple.

With special permission granted, I entered the back stage (which was just located right behind the stage’s backdrop curtain) to see how the performers got ready for their act. I have always wanted to watch and sketch how the performers prepare for their performance.

The entire preparation took like less than 30mins and in no time, the music began to play by a 3-man band, 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.

Head dresses

Personal makeup stations

The band corner