Public Gets Rare Taste Of Xiamen Chinese Opera
By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - The sounds of the Erhu, lute, gong and flute echoed from within the walls of the Tua Pi ' Kong Temple in the capital yesterday, as stories of the Mooncake Festival unfolded for the viewing pleasure of the public.

The rare sight of the Chinese opera can only be witnessed here once a year, but rarer still was the fact that, for the first time ever, the Sultanate was treated to a performance staged by a Chinese troupe from Xiamen, the People Republic of China.

The show grabbed the attention of both the young and the old, as actors stage plays relating to the Mooncake Festival.

"Currently we have a total of 45 members in the troupe and we feel honoured to be able to perform in Brunei Darussalam for the first time," said troupe leader Hung Qingsheui.

Every year, the Xiamen Chinese Opera troupe performs more than 300 shows within China alone. The Chinese opera will run for slightly over a week and conclude on October 17.

Hung Qingsheui hopes the show will captivate the audience, leaving them with a deep impression of Chinese opera. He also hopes to be able to return next year to entertain the local Chinese opera fans with more tales of the festival.

Aside from the opera, the names of the winners of a lantern competition were also announced yesterday.

In the primary category, first place winner Chew Cheng Chin took home a cash prize of $200, followed by Lai Shau Shin and Tan Kah Ee, who were awarded $150 and $100 respectively. All three winners are from Chung Hwa Middle School.

Meanwhile, in the secondary category, Chew Cheng Kwang of Chung Hwa Middle School emerged victorious, winning the first prize of $250.

Ranking in second and third places respectively were Wong Poh How of St George's, who won $200, and Yap Sui Peng of Chung Hwa Middle School, who walked away with a $150 cash prize.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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