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Once the performers are done with their own makeup, they would go around helping others. It is crucial that the cosmetics be done properly in order to portray the characteristics of their role.
Despite having a drop in viewership over the years, performers still take pride in their practice, paying particular attention to detail.
Being one of the elders in the troupe, ‘Green Dragon’ has come a long way. Yet, he continues to put in his heart and soul in every performance, making sure that fellow performers attain high standards too.
Once the performers are done with their own makeup, they would go around helping others. It is crucial that the cosmetics be done properly in order to portray the characteristics of their role.
A Timeless Tradition
Lao Sai Tao Yuan, arguably the oldest Teochew Opera troupe in Singapore, continues to breathe life into a tradition that is no longer the main source of entertainment in modern day society. Having been around for more than a century, the troupe had been able to overcome the issue of participation, which has plagued other Chinese Opera groups and ultimately leading to their closure. This can be attributed to their willingness to change, starting from their recruitment prerequisites.
Traditionally, only Teochews joined the Teochew troupe as the other dialect groups had their own troupes and there would be stiff competition in trying to draw the crowds. However, Lao Sai Tao Yuan opened up over the years to welcome willing performers from other dialect groups to the troupe, ensuring that they have sufficient performers. This sustained the survivability of the troupe when many disbanded. More importantly, their ability to persevere all these years lies in their showmanship. Generally, the artists who have spent a lifetime in this trade would set very high expectations for the newcomers, reprimanding them for seemingly minor mistakes. “You just need to put in your heart and soul in whatever you do. Only then will you succeed. I entered this trade when I was nine and nobody guided me then. I had to learn things the hard way but still managed to pick up the tricks of the trade in the end,” A performer, known by the stage name of ‘Green Dragon’, sharing with a newer member of the troupe who could not get her makeup done independently.
Yet, keeping the tradition alive will require more than just grit and passion. Without the younger generation’s appreciation for such an art form, Singapore will eventually lose not only her cultural heritage, but also a chance for youths to pick up values that come from a lifetime of experience. This could prove valuable in maturing a growing arts scene in Singapore
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