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Backstage at a Chinese opera
16 Aug 2014 — Chinese opera is a popular form of drama and musical theatre with roots going back to ancient China. It is a composite performance art that is an amalgamation of various art forms that evolved gradually over more than a millennium. It reached its mature form in the 13th century during the Song Dynasty. Early forms of Chinese drama are simple, but over time, they incorporated various art forms, such as music, song and dance, martial arts, acrobatics, as well as literary art forms to become Chinese opera. Chinese opera is seldom publicly staged in the 21st century, except in formal Chinese opera houses and during the lunar seventh month Chinese Ghost Festival in Asia as a form of entertainment to the spirits and audience. The masks are based on the ancient face-painting tradition where warriors decorated themselves to scare the enemy.
A Teochew opera performer posing with glasses while waiting for her part in a Chinese opera staged in George Town, Penang, recently. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 16, 2014.
A Chinese opera performer resting under the stage in Jalan Kapitan Keling George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 16, 2014.
Chinese opera actresses on behind the stage in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 16, 2014.
Performers of the Chinese opera putting on their make-up in preparation for their show in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 16, 2014.
An actor putting on his make-up for Chinese opera performance. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 16, 2014.
A musician playing a Teochew dulcimer known as Yang Qin in preparation for a show in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 16, 2014.
Chinese opera performers resting backstage while waiting for their turn to perform. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 16, 2014.
A performer waiting for his turn to appear on the stage in a Chinese opera in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 16, 2014.
Performers are seen in between the backdrop during their performance in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 16, 2014.
A family from Kuala Lumpur snapping photographs with a Chinese opera troupe after a performance in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 16, 2014.
An opera performer talking to her partner who is applying make-up for opera play in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 16, 2014.
Reflection of an opera actress seen on a mirror. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 16, 2014.
An actress adjusting her costume while another carries a toddler backstage in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 16, 2014.
Opera performers preparing for a show at Jalan Kapitan Keling in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, August 16, 2014.
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