Kim Eng Teochew Opera Closes Down
Once, they performed for thousands. Now, only a handful show up. … … … The Electric Paper
Kim Eng (which means ‘Golden Eagle’ in Teochew) Teochew Opera, is one of Singapore’s most established troupes. A feast of sights and sounds, the Teochew Opera tells age-old stories and legends in dramatic form, with actors garishly made up and dressed in lavish costumes. A colorful spectacle, the troupe generally performs on makeshift stages in open fields. In the troupe’s heyday in the 80s, they performed in front of thousands. But due to declining popularity and a lack of young talent, they now perform to a meager number of audiences. Much to the regret of the performers, who are in their 50s, the troupe is disbanded in February 2007 as this local culture will soon become a lost trade and art*.
*Text and photo are courtesy, Jonathan Yeap.
It was truly sad to learn about the demise the Kim Eng Teochew Opera Troupe. In less than 10 years, Singapore will resemble ‘any city’ in California – full of Starbucks, Pizza Kitchens, and Carl’s Juniors (they are all here already).
Take a few minutes to view Jonathan’s excellent Flickr gallery.
Thanks so much for these pictures of Kim Eng Teochew Opera Troupe. Kim Eng together with another demised Teochew Troupe Sin Yong Hoe Heng brought back many memories of my childhood days where by mom would bring me n my sister to watch teochew operas. In those days ( in the 80s) teochew operas was still very much popular though i have observed many spectators were people in the 50s n 60s.
I hope the culture of teochew operas will one day be rejuvenated as Singaporeans will be “awakened’ that in the rush to embrace modernity and particularly westernisation,we must also preserved and let our children understand that our traditional culture n traditions are our identity & heritage and losing it will inevitably make us less confident of ourselves.
Very fantastic post …. thanx guy…