Traditional Chinese opera troupes collaborate with public agencies to deliver public service messages to the public.
In a unique collaboration, five Chinese opera troupes have teamed up with public sector agencies to deliver social messages through light-hearted video clips. These videos feature traditional Chinese opera excerpts, each adapted with a modern twist, and performed in the respective dialects and traditional opera styles of each troupe.
One of the key videos stars the legendary magistrate “Justice Bao,” who warns a distraught old woman waiting for her son’s return: “Do not take messages from unknown origins seriously.” This message is part of a campaign to educate seniors about the dangers of scams, which was launched on November 21 on the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s (SCCC) social media platforms, including WeChat and Xiaohongshu.
The collaboration, part of the lead-up to the Chinese Opera Festival 2025, aims to preserve the traditional art of Chinese opera while simultaneously conveying important public service messages. The five videos, each approximately 1 to 1½ minutes long, will be released monthly until March 2025, targeting issues such as scams, health screenings, wildlife management, and more.
The troupes involved are the Chinese Opera Ensemble (Hainanese opera), Chinese Opera Studio (Teochew opera), Tang Renaissance (Yue opera), Tian Yun Beijing Opera Society (Peking opera), and OperaWorks (Cantonese opera). Public sector agencies include the Health Promotion Board, Land Transport Authority, National Parks Board, and the Singapore Police Force.
The project aims to reach a wide audience, particularly senior citizens, while also showcasing the versatility of local Chinese opera. The first video, focused on scams, highlights the importance of taking action against fraud. Other videos in the series will cover topics such as regular health screenings, legacy planning, responsible waste disposal, and following active mobility rules.
The campaign is seen as a significant effort to modernize Chinese opera and engage with the community in meaningful ways.
