Chinese opera flourished in Singapore from the time that it arrived here with Chinese immigrants in the 19th century. It was a cheap and popular form of entertainment, particularly during the economic boom years from the 1890s to the 1930s. Chinese operas were often performed in temples and out on the streets during festivities. For a period of time, Chinese opera in Singapore went through a difficult phase with the arrival of silent movies in the 1920s, the Japanese Occupation and a depressed economy in the 1950s. Nonetheless, it made a comeback in the decades thereafter, following the influx of fresh ideas from overseas troupes, while opera-themed movies revived interest in the performing art.
