The actress depicted in this photograph is dressed as a ‘dan’ or female character, one of the four main roles enacted on the Chinese opera stage. Chinese opera costumes are typically decorated with intricate designs that indicate the age, traits and social status of the character. The headdress is another important element of the Chinese opera costume. Adorned with sequins, pearls and other ornaments, the headdress helps to distinguish specific roles; the more important the character, the more elaborate the headdress. The actress shown here wears a headdress featuring two long pheasant feathers which denote the sub-role of a ‘wu dan’ or female warrior. 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.
