Johor troupe in China for Teochew Opera Fest

A Teochew opera troupe from Johor was proud to participate in the Fifth International Teochew Opera Festival held in Swatow, China, from Oct 28 to 31.

A scene from Teochew opera, Golden Flower Maiden,
that feature the maiden [Left] and poor scholar ]Right]

The performing art of Teochew opera is kept alive in Johor Baru, a town that once was known as Little Swatow* due to the large number of Teochew immigrants whose town of origin was Swatow in China.

This opera troupe in JB comprised amateur actors who share a passion for Teochew opera and were committed to perform a full-length traditional opera at the festival.

Several troupes in Malaysia were invited to the opera fest and Madam Heng Teo Luang and her friends in the Johor Baru Chao Yang Amateur Opera Troupe, were proud to be part of this international opera festival that involved participants from 43 countries.

My friend, Madam Heng is not only passionate about Teochew opera but also an accomplished actor, particularly in playing the role of a poor scholar-turned-magistrate.

[In traditional Teochew opera, females play male roles in these musical dramas.]

Madam Heng Teo Luang [in Blue] in her role
as poor scholar-turned magistrate

To prepare for their show, rehearsals were held at Taman Pelangi in premises that was sponsored by the Chairman of the Small Merchants Association, Koh Peng Chia.

An accomplished Beijing qualified, opera director from China, Linjia – now based in Singapore, working with renowned performing arts schools – was engaged to guide the troupe in the finer points of traditional Teochew opera.

An amateur opera actor in Singapore, Quek Wen Wei, coached the troupe and helped with the actors’ make-up.

It was a real challenge because the opera was performed to recorded music and the actors had to pay close attention to each line of music to get the cue to start singing or speaking their parts.

Another scene from the Teochew opera, Golden Flowe Maiden

These actors were in fact, inspiring and encouraging each other with their commitment and determination to keep this traditional performing art alive.

In total, there are some 19 characters in the opera with a crew that included props and costume managers, hairdressers, makeup artistes and admin team members.

When rehearsals were completed, the troupe had the opportunity to present the full performance of their opera entitled, Jin Hua Niu, a Teochew phrase which is literally translated as, “Golden Flower Maiden,” at a fund-raising dinner.

A fund-raising dinner preview show

After I shared the information about this fund-raising dinner show, my Japanese friend in JB, Yoshiko Tsuchiya, an ardent fan of music and drama, did not hesitate to make her reservations to attend.

Yoshiko was keen to watch this show, understood as one of the most traditional Teochew operas that was often performed by Teochew opera artistes over some 40 years after the fall of Communist China.

Its script and lyrics have been preserved through generations and remained unchanged and authentic in an opera filled with songs and dialogues that only the talented ones would have the courage to perform.

Madam Heng played the lead role as poor scholar, Liuyong, a character who would achieve a coveted education and eventually become a magistrate.

She told me that make-up and costumes would be done off site and the cast and crew would be transferred to the restaurant for the dinner show by coach.

Madam Heng wearing stage make-up
en route to the preview show in JB

Meanwhile Yoshiko was already at Meido Restaurant in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, who joined diners and sponsors gathered to enjoy dinner with a preview of the two-and-half-hour Teochew opera.

After the show, Yoshiko agreed with me that it was a real treat for fans of Teochew opera because it was a rare opportunity to enjoy a full-length traditional opera performed live here.

Yoshiko told me that it was more than 20 years ago since she watched Chinese opera in Beijing and this was her first time watching Teochew opera.

Music and drama truly transcend all borders and while Yoshiko did not understand the Teochew language, she enjoyed the colourful costumes, the stage sets and the rhythmic lines and music that sounded soothing and comfortable.

“The show reminded me of Kabuki, a Japanese traditional drama, and was reminiscent of Sewamono, a contemporary setting for Japanese traditional theatre,” said Yoshiko as she tried to share her experience with me.

Madam Heng with Yoshiko Tsuchiya

But she was clearly impressed by the commitment of the actors who put in such a lot of practice to perform so gracefully, from eye movements right up to their fingertips!

This preview performance gave the actors an excellent opportunity to polish up their parts and then they were ready to leave for the International Teochew Opera Festival in Swatow.

Weeks passed before Madam Heng and her troupe returned from China and she shared with me a deluge of photographs and videos of their exciting experience.

“It was an overwhelming success!” said Madam Heng, which succinctly summed up their entire experience at the festival, in a single sentence.

She was encouraged to see how the art of Chinese opera, specifically Teochew opera, was being taught in Art Schools in China and the way students would give performances in public parks or tourist spots as an added attraction.

Opening Ceremony of the Fifth International Teochew
Opera Festival in Swatow, China in Oct 2019

She compared it to how actors would dress up in traditional Shakespearean costumes and perform in Vienna gardens accompanied by live orchestras.

Of course, she also shared about their Governments which provided funding support for performing arts education and lamented the lack of it in our local context…

From the photos and feedback I received, I’m sure the Fifth International Teochew Opera Festival 2019 was such a culturally enriching experience that members of this Johor-based Teochew opera troupe will not forget for a long, long time. Well done!

Madam Heng [holding bouquet] at the end of the troupe's performance at the Teochew Opera Fest in Swatow, China

*Read my story on Johor Baru was once Little Swatow, under Memories in my book, My Johor Stories 2: Interesting Places and Inspirational People, available from MPH bookstores nationwide and online from mphonline.