The actor here is dressed as a ‘sheng’ or male character, one of the four main roles enacted on the Chinese opera stage; the others being 'dan' (the female), 'jing' (the painted face) and 'chou' (the clown). 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 full regalia, complete with triangular pennants, that the role being played is that of a military official or ‘wu sheng’, a subdivision of the main male role. The headdress is another important element of the costume as the ornaments adorning it helps to distinguish specific roles. Also 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.
