The Chinese opera shown in this photograph is being performed on a makeshift stage erected near the Ellenborough Market, commonly known to locals as the Teochew Market. Colloquially known by the Malay term 'wayang', which means 'performance', the Chinese street opera provided an inexpensive and popular form of entertainment to Chinese immigrants in the early days. It is also closely associated with religious celebrations where the local temple would hire wayang troupes to perform on auspicious occasions. These wayang troupes usually performed on temporary structures that were set up in the streets for performances that would be limited to a few days.
