Puppets on strings, ready for a performance
This is a followup Part 2 post from the first article, A Look Back in Time – A Life on Strings, where we took a nostalgic look at what it is like to go back to the 1960s and revisit a marionette puppet troupe performance, delivered in authentic Heng Hwa dialect. A time where there were no distractions from the internet, from the technicolor world of celebrity-based entertainment, nor indulgence in mindless MTV pop culture.
Members of the Sin Hoe Ping puppet troupe putting on their uniforms in preparations for a performance
In other words, a world where entertainment was delivered purely based on skill and a dedication to craft, free of high-tech assist or digitally altered personas.
Mr Yang showing off one of his many handmade puppets (actually, they were all made by him)
Except that what you have read and seen so far all took place on the night of the 17th of February, 2012, in front of the Asian Civilization Museum.
Yes, that’s right, let’s tune the time machine and go right to the present day and age, and return to gaudy and bright colors of the present age.
The puppet stage in front of the ACM at Empress Place, Singapore
The Sin Hoe Puppet troupe in full swing during the performance
The Sin Hoe Puppet troupe, led by 62 yr old puppet troupe leader Mr Yang Lai Hao, staged a riveting performance in front of a large crowd over 2 nights on the 16th and 17th of February 2012. This was made possible by Regenerating Communities, a special three-part arts and culture initiative featuring artists, art forms and programmes that draws upon Singapore’s rich cultural heritage to revitalize and reaffirm Empress place as a place of heritage.
Mr Jeremiah Choy, the Creative Director of Regenerating Communities
With Sin Hoe Ping puppet troupe, Jeremiah Choy, the creative director for Regenerating Communities have brought an intangible heritage back to the collective minds of Singaporeans, a heritage that is in danger of being lost forever.
Mr Yang proudly showing off a few moves with his puppet Sun Wu Kong, the famous monkey-god of Chinese culture
You see, at the age of 62, puppet troupe leader Yang Lai Hao is the sole inheritor of the Sin Hoe Ping Puppet Troupe, the only remaining Heng Hwa puppet troupe in Singapore. At the tender age of 7, he learnt puppetry from his father, who was an experienced puppet master and owner of the troupe. After his dad passed away 2 years later, he continued to learn puppetry with the rest of the troupe members, seeing more value in puppetry than his studies – he could earn up to 50 cents a day, which in those days could feed an entire family.
Mr Yang proudly recalling his heritage and history with the puppet troupe
After 30 years of running the troupe and keeping an 80-year old tradition alive (puppetry came to Singapore from China in the 1930s), Mr Yang is urgently looking for someone to carry on the this proud tradition. He could at the moment find no one who is interested in learning the art and mastering the craft of puppetry and eventually taking over the business. He says he does have a potential relative in China who expressed interest in coming over to Singapore to take a look at the troupe but his visa applications so far have been rejected by the authorities here.
The hand made set and stage created by Mr Yang
By this time, Mr Yang has done it all – creating the elaborate sets and stage needed for each performance (his troupe performs in temple rituals, special occasions and in schools as well on request), and making painstaking by hand, each and everyone of the puppets.
Hand made puppets strung across the backstage
Mr Yang inspecting the puppets together with the members of his troupe from China
Part battery operated, part hand manipulated puppets Mr Yang created for the original script he created called "Monkey's Wedding"
He says that he is praying to his gods that he be allowed to live till the ripe old age of 90, and that he trust in the gods to send him, somehow, a successor that will carry on the tradition of Heng Hwa puppetry.
After 80 over years in Singapore, he is not prepared to let the tradition die out in Singapore.
Mr Yang posing with members of his troupe, all of from hail from Putien in China
On that somehow serious note, let us turn our focus back to the show. Indeed, it was heartening to see the huge crowd that gathered in front of the stage, and to see members of the public peppering Mr Yang and Mr Jeremiah with questions on the puppet troupe and puppetry in general. It is vitally important that this art form be allowed to stay in the collective memory of Singaporeans, failing which it will surely fade away with time and we will lose an important part of Singapore history and culture.
Mr Jeremiah Choy addressing the crowds gathered to see the puppet show
Members of the public asking questions about the troupe and its history
A group of artists from the urban sketchers were there to draw their impressions of the performance
Urban sketchers drawing their impressions of the performance
As night falls, the stage was lit up with a dizzying array of lights setup by the troupe, and the atmosphere of the place enhanced immeasurably.
The stage is lit up at twilight.
A look at the magnificently lit stage
A pair of star-crossed lovers kissing before the show – harking back to the days of old whereby our parents and grandparents, devoid of TV or modern entertainment, must have dated and kissed before shows like this.
A pair of lovers smooching in front of the stage before the performance
The show gets underway with the first blare of music. As night descends the performance carries on, spirited, as if saying this tradition will not die with the passing of time.
Mr Yang playing the role of the tiger in Wu Song Da Hu (Wu Song Fights the Tiger)
Let’s hope that this troupe and its proud tradition will live on in Singapore!
A Look Back in Time is a new documentary photo essay series dedicated to people, culture and lost arts of a bygone era. Check back often for more update on this series!
