Kim Eng Teochew Opera's Last Curtain Call

On 11 Feb 2007, it could well be the last performance by Kim Eng Teochew Opera at Defu Lane. Being the oldest Teochew Opera in Singapore, it has seen it great days. With the current trend of less people speaking Teochew, a southern Chinese dialect, there are less people watching the opera.

Kim Eng performing at the Qi Tian Gong celebration at Tiong Bahru

With the closing of the Kim Eng Teochew Opera, the Chinese temple celebrations in Singapore will have one less Teochew Opera to perform. Many fans of Teochew Operas will miss this opera.


The members of the opera may resurface with a smaller puppet troupe.

Teochew Puppet Show

Last Sunday, I had the good fortune of visiting Loyang Tua Pek Kong and watch this Teochew Puppet Show.

This is the first time I saw the puppet show with the puppets being handled by wires and bamboo handles.