The actor depicted in this photograph is dressed as a ‘sheng’ or male character, one of the four main roles enacted on the Chinese opera stage; the other roles 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. The headdress is another important element of the costume as the ornaments adorning it help to distinguish specific roles. In this instance, it is possible that the actor is playing the role of a military official or ‘wu sheng’, as his headgear sports two long pheasant feathers, a common feature on a warrior’s special headdress. 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.
