An opera performance for guests at the anniversary celebrations at Armenian Street in George Town, Penang. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
George Town puppet and opera house reopens after pandemic, celebrates 10th anniversary
EIGHT-year-old Jasper Leong waited patiently for his turn to manipulate a puppet at the Teochew Puppet and Opera House’s (TPOH) 10th anniversary and reopening celebration in Penang.
As soon as he was handed the rod to control and move the puppet’s body, head and limbs, there was no stopping Jasper who seemed a natural at the art form.
His father Thomas Leong, 43, a consultant, said Jasper often gets his parents to take him for cultural and traditional art-related events in Penang.
“We support his interest wholeheartedly by attending events together, as it’s clear he has a genuine passion for traditional arts,” said Leong.
VIPs and guests celebrating the Teochew Puppet and Opera House’s reopening.
Actress Beth Webster, 53, who has been living in Malaysia for the past two years, said the event gave her a wonderful opportunity to experience traditional Teochew art forms.
“I’ve always had a deep passion for puppetry and have dedicated a significant part of my life to studying and practising it.
“Previously, I worked with a puppet theatre in the UK, which allowed me to explore various puppetry styles.
“It is indeed exciting and wonderful to experience this tradition.
Webster: The artistry and craftsmanship involved are truly captivating.
“The artistry and craftsmanship involved here are truly captivating,” she said.
Her experience underscores the event’s role in bridging cultural gaps and fostering appreciation for traditional art forms among international enthusiasts.
Teochew opera performances titled Gathering of 10 Celestials, Capital Reunion and Sensing Change through Cicadas, a puppet show called Fairy Princess Brings a Child and Teochew drum performances were on the itinerary at the celebration.
Celebrating new initiatives
TPOH, one of Malaysia’s last bastions preserving the art of iron rod puppets and Chinese opera performances, reopened its doors nearly four years after the Covid-19 pandemic movement restrictions.
The performance house in Armenian Street, George Town, which includes an academy, ceased operations once the movement control order was enforced in March 2020.
Established in 2014, TPOH housed exhibits such as musical instruments, costumes and scripts used in traditional Teochew performances.
Following renovations, items used in Teochew opera and puppetry were moved to the TPOH museum gallery in the same building.
The 10th anniversary also marked the inauguration of the Malaysia Teochew Performing Arts Heritage Centre.
Some of the puppet heads showcased at TPOH’s museum.
Those visiting TPOH can experience interactive elements such as iron rod puppets and costume fittings which were introduced to create a more engaging exhibition experience.
A traditional Teochew-type stage has also been moved inside the performance house for visitors to appreciate the charm of an opera set.
TPOH director Ling Goh, whose family has a long history with the art form, said the performance house was committed to preserving and promoting traditional Teochew opera culture.
Goh (right) taking Hui Ying (centre) on a tour of TPOH museum gallery during the anniversary celebrations of the performance house.
She has, in recent years, started exploring different ways to engage younger audiences by modernising the art through various innovative projects.
In the past two years, TPOH collaborated with local theatre groups, twice, for the local folklore Si Tanggang which received positive feedback and offered new possibilities for the art.
In her speech, Goh said her mission was to transform the premises into a professional, small-scale museum focused on documenting the development of Teochew art form in Penang.
Guests watching a puppet show at the 10th anniversary celebrations and reopening of the Teochew Puppet and Opera House.
For the anniversary celebration, she said the team had rearranged the archives and collection, upgraded display cases to better preserve cultural and historical artefacts as well as digitised recordings and collections for the future.
“The performance house also tells the development and history of Teochew art in Penang.
“This was done by revisiting diaries and belongings of five generations of the Goh family,” she said of her family’s heritage.
Goh said there were plans to translate existing texts and audiovisual archives of the traditional art form into Bahasa Malaysia and English.
She said the translations enabled other communities, especially the younger generation, to appreciate and enjoy Teochew culture and traditions.
Traditional music being played to accompany the Teochew opera and puppet performances at the anniversary celebrations.
This would also continue to promote cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural collaboration projects, she added.
“We are also engaging with schools and the public, as well as offering various workshops and Teochew art courses. We aim to foster innovation and cultural exchange across different age groups, ethnicity and fields.
“Indirectly, this will ensure that this traditional art form will survive and thrive in a more deeply rooted way,” she said.
Tribute to Goh’s family
TPOH adviser Lim Gaik Siang, in her speech, said the Goh family’s love for and commitment to Teochew opera had not wavered over five generations.
“They have not only passed down this tradition within the family but also used TPOH as a platform to share it with a broader audience.
“It is this spirit that is the key to the performance house’s 10-year success story,” she noted.
A book documenting Goh’s mother, 73-year-old Toh Ai Hwa’s lifelong journey as a Teochew opera performer was launched earlier.
The 112-page book, Toh Ai Hwa: Mistress of Teochew Rod Puppetry, chronicles the mother and daughter’s journey in preserving the cultural performance as well as the founding of Kim Giak Low Choon Puppet Troupe.
The puppet troupe bas been recognised as a Living Heritage Treasure by the Penang Heritage Trust (PHT).
Deputy Finance Minister and Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying, who was the guest of honour, said that TPOH’s work was not only about protecting traditional culture but also paved the way for future development of Malaysia’s diverse arts and culture scene.
Also present was state social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim.
