WOMAD

Chinese Opera Society

From Singapore

JOURNEY INTO THE PEAR GARDENAt WOMAD SINGAPORE 2000, COSS is challenged to re-invent the open-air platform, the travelling stage that was once the distinctive feature of opera performances.The Chinese Opera Society (Singapore) - or COSS - was founded in 1992 to fill a void in the Chinese Opera community in Singapore. While there were many opera troupes that contributed to a calendar of opera productions, none was devoted to the critical task of grooming new audiences for a traditional art form that was vanishing fast.Chinese Opera - especially street opera - had been a conspicuous feature in Singapore's cultural tapestry for more than a century. Amateur opera groups formed by clan associations brought together people from all walks of life and ensured the continuation of a sophisticated and vibrant art form that grew in China and spread across the world wherever Chinese communities were set up. However, Chinese Opera as entertainment attracted only a very select group of people who understood the language.COSS was set up by a group of bilingual professionals with the express purpose of nurturing new audiences for Chinese Opera. In particular, two target groups were identified: children in schools and English-educated professionals more used to a diet of West End productions and "modern" art forms.COSS productions are distinguished by their line-by-line English translations of the scripts presented. Projections of English subtitles help audiences surmount the language barrier. In addition, talks and workshops are held for the public and in schools to demystify the myriad symbolic movements and opera paraphernalia. These talks help audiences understand that Chinese Opera (Xiqu) is a whole sophisticated theatre system with dramatic conventions that are refined thorough the centuries. At the same time, the talks and workshops awaken the audiences to new sensations and experiences of this unique theatrical form.Over the past eight years, COSS brought to Singapore several Chinese opera-types that were never presented before. These include Chuan Opera (Sichuan) and Yu Opera (from Henan). The group also spearheaded the Young Opera Artistes Series to give recognition and support to talented opera performers in Singapore. Last year, COSS staged an innovative production based on a very popular traditional opera titled " Princess Chang Ping".