The actor here is dressed as a ‘sheng’, or male character, one of the four main roles enacted on the Chinese opera stage. The black beard worn indicates the character is older than 40 years of age. Chinese opera costumes are typically decorated with intricate designs that indicate the age, traits and social status of the character. In this instance, it is clear from the actor’s regalia, that the part being played is that of a military personnel, or ‘wu sheng’, a subdivision of the main male role. The actor’s warrior position is confirmed by the special headgear he is sporting, which has two long pheasant feathers attached. The headdress is another important element of the costume as the ornaments adorning it helps to distinguish specific roles. Known by the Malay term ‘wayang’, which means ‘performance’, Chinese opera in Singapore can be traced back to the 19th century with the arrival of Chinese immigrants. Up until the 1930s, wayang was a popular performing art, both as a platform for religious worship and as a cheap form of entertainment.
