There’s no providence for bad weather - or even bad hair day. This is the mantra that is indoctrinated into everyone who plays a role, no matter how small. There are cues for meals, prayers, sleep, act, sing and the day goes by almost like clockwork. Every move is thoroughly scripted in front, and back stage. Welcome to the hidden sanctum of Chinese street opera of Kim Yoke Guan Hokkien Opera troupe.
Opera characters paint faces that depict gods, demons, prince, princesses, king, scholars, warriors and even clowns. As such, facial make up is a big part of backstage frenzy.Shows are usually performed at night and performers have to eat early dinner to ensure they have ample time for dolling up.
When I first got permission to pry behind the backdrop, we were ecstatic. Backstage is a place so many people find so fascinating and yet so few get to visit. It’s like being given a magical key to open a closely guarded castle.
A glimpse of gypsy life - The makeshift-stage and troupe members are on the move every week of the year, often putting up shows in far flung hamlets and temples. For them, the backstage doubles as home.
“Lian Pu” or facial patterns amplify the character’s nature and personality. Red is often used to depict honesty, loyalty and courage in the “Far Dan” or heroine character.
But of course, like fairy tales, happy ending always never come without a catch. I have to observe taboos, hoodoos and I were forewarned get into the Prima Dona’s good book, for she rules the roost. There are crates containing important costumes that we cannot kick, even accidentally, as it brings back luck. Certain make-up methods and rituals are trade secrets. I promise to stay out of the way and be as non-intrusive as possible. Simply put, one wrong move and I will be booted off stage.
Becoming an opera performer is a long and hard learning process. One has the master the skill of speech, singing, dancing and acrobatics. Every pose is carefully manoeuvred to elude sharp angles or straight lines. Beauty must be seen in every motion, while keeping dialogues flowing to the cacophony of gongs, cymbals and musical instruments.
Contemporary Chinese Opera has its history dating back over 900 years. It's a heady mix of acrobatics, martial arts, dance, and poetic arias and a single opera can sometimes last as long as five or six hours. It first arrived in Malaysia in the mid 16th century, brought there by early Chinese traders. However, in Malaysia today traditional performances are few and far between, they are mainly reserved for New Year celebrations, local festivals and marriages, and sometimes at funerals and ancestral ceremonies. They are mainly performed by traveling troupes, whose numbers are dwindling these days. A good time to catch a live performance is during the Hungry Ghost festival held during the month of August to atone for the sins of the dead.
The Chinese opera is a complex performing art that combines singing, music, dialogue, acrobatics and martial arts.
Putting up a show is hard work, as I inevitably found out. What spectators enjoy when the curtain is raised is only half the story, as the pain, passion and perseverance that grinds over backstage never sees limelight. Indeed, I am truly moved and honoured when everyone opens up and let us into their private domain.
Sadly, and without doubt, Chinese opera faces the threat of being blurred out by modernity. At present, there are only a handful of opera troupes still performing in the Malaysian countryside. Who knows if any youngsters will be interested enough to learn and conserve the age-old performing art form – and whether I will get a chance to do so before the stage is totally cleared? I certainly hope these images will jolt some into action.
