Name change, and Nam Hwa Opera still delivers a good performance in Dream of Xiaozhuang

The staging of Dream of Xiaozhuang 孝庄梦 was to commemorate 3 events: the 50th anniversary of the opera troupe, a change of name from Nan Hwa Amateur Musical and Dramatic Association, and the company's move to its new premise at Aliwal Arts Centre.

After a brief awards and opening ceremony, the performance commenced. The Dream of Xiaozhuang is about Dowager Xiaozhuang who proposed marriage to her brother-in-law Duo Er Gun so as to secure her position in the palace, and for her young Emperor son.  However, she faced oppositions from the court and her son Shun Zhi.

Under Chinese director Yu Li Zhu, the local cast delivered.  
Liu Xi Qin 刘惜琴 was convincing as Dowager, and she was supported by Cai Ai Bi 蔡爱碧 who played the role of Duo Er Gun.  The role of Shun Zi (Fu Lin) was played by Wu Su Hua and Huang Yu Zhi.  Other key roles were sung by Wang Han Yin, Zhang Ming Fu and Chen Guo Lai.  It is good to see that an opera troupe could have many capable singer-actors.  The supporting cast of soldiers and maids were also disciplined on stage, which is a rare for local stage.

The opera was enjoyable, albeit long for certain scenes.  If it could be cut by 15 minutes, it would be a tight and more intense production.  Hopefully the name change of Nam Hwa Opera would not be just cosmetic - it would be a good opportunity for the company to adapt and modernise Teochew opera for a new generation of audience.