Kim Eng Teochew Opera was formed in 1980 by Mr Chua Hong Kee after
he left the very popular Sin Yong Hwa to start out on his own. Kim Eng, which
means Golden Eagle in the Teochew dialect, would perform to hundreds of
people each day on specially constructed stages for more than a decade.
Its fate took a downward turn towards the end of the 20th century, when
other forms of entertainment almost totally consume its existence. No
longer able to draw a large audience, it has to contend with functioning
as a ritual of prayer for temple celebrations.
longer able to draw a large audience, it has to contend with functioning
as a ritual of prayer for temple celebrations.
Over the years, it became increasingly difficult to run an opera troupe. The
rising operating costs and the decreasing performance fees forced most
troupes, including Kim Eng, to reduce the number of performers from about
a hundred to less than twenty.
In 2007, twenty-seven years after the formation of Kim Eng, Mr Chua decided
to cease operation of the troupe. On the 11th of February 2007 Kim Eng gave
its final performance to a small audience in an industrial park, marking the last
flight of the Golden Eagle.
to cease operation of the troupe. On the 11th of February 2007 Kim Eng gave
its final performance to a small audience in an industrial park, marking the last
flight of the Golden Eagle.
