Essay On Chinese Street Opera

Chinese street opera also commonly known as “Wayang” was one of the main sources of entertainment for the Singapore’s Chinese community in the 19th century. Chinese street opera refers to Chinese opera performed on the streets which is characterised by a temporary stage constructed out of timber poles and canvases . Chinese street opera often takes place during religious events and customary celebrations like the “Hungry Ghost Festival” or Chinese New Year. As Chinese street opera is the most accessible and cheapest form of entertainment for all age groups, it is not surprising for Chinese street opera to be one of the most popular forms of entertainment for the Chinese. However, the function of Chinese street opera is not only limited to

Chinese street opera is categorized according to the dialects like Hokkien, Hainanese, Teochew and Cantonese. Thus, Chinese street opera has strong resonance for the various dialect communities . Chinese street opera has created an opportunity and fixed area for people of the same dialect groups to gather and bond. For example, the Cantonese will usually occupy areas like Eu Tong Seng Street while the Teochews occupied the North Bridge Road . As people of the same dialect groups can understand and communicate with one another, it eventually led to the creation of communal associations, clans and guild houses of various dialects. These groups become regulars and supporters of the opera troupe of their respective dialects. For example, the Hainanese formed the Singapore Hainan Hwee Kuan in 1857; the Hokkien formed the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan in 1840. These organizations also strive for a better purpose which is to assist people of the same dialects in their daily lives and needs by building schools and hospitals. Chinese street opera had provided a platform for people of the same dialect to meet and work for the same purpose to improve the lives of the people in their dialect group, strengthening the community spirit within the same dialect