The Malaysian Insight

CHINESE troupes performing opera, puppet shows and classical instruments are already a sunset industry, and movement restrictions because of the Covid-19 pandemic might put the last nail in their coffin but for an innovative project to film and collate such performances online.

The website Classic Accents will also accept donations to help troupes survive the pandemic during which demand for their shows is expected to be zero until year-end.

Founder Chong Keat Aun said these troupes don’t receive commercial or government support, unlike other arts and theatre projects.

Performers are folk artistes who liven up Chinese celebrations, such as the Hungry Ghost Festival and the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, with their colourful costumes and painted faces.

“Although this is a long-standing traditional art in Chinese culture, performances are fewer and fewer and it is becoming a sunset industry,” said Chong, a former radio deejay who now works at preserving Chinese cultural heritage.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the livelihood of performers and some are disbanding their troupes or selling their businesses.

“I don’t want to see the art disappear,” Chong told The Malaysian Insight when explaining the reason for Classic Accents.

Though the website, performers, especially elderly artistes who are not Internet-savvy, can get help on how to stage online performances.

It is also a chance to keep their art alive.

There will be little or no opportunities for Chinese troupes to perform until year-end, said Chong.

“They mainly rely on temple activities for performance opportunities. But this year, temples are cancelling many activities.

“In addition, temples usually rely on donations from devotees. This year, due to the pandemic, donations have naturally decreased. In order to save money and other factors, troupes are not being invited to perform anymore.”

The seniors in these troupes are eager to participate in his online project, said Chong.

“There are still different troupes contacting us, many saying they have no income and are hoping to join.”

Classic Accents also hosts traditional Malay folk performances, such as wayang kulit and Orang Asli dance troupes from Kelantan.

Altogether, there are a dozen groups of traditional folk art.

Classic Accents has planned 12 online shows. The first was released on July 4 and shooting of the remaining performances is underway.

The shoots involve producers, photographers, audio and lighting engineers whom he could not afford to pay professional fees.

“We can only pay a bit, but they are very happy to help with shooting.”

He also sees a silver lining as more people, including non-Chinese speakers, come to appreciate traditional performances.

“When the troupes perform on stage, not many in the audience can understand the language.

“But by having the shows online, we can add subtitles. We add Chinese and English subtitles during post-production of each video, so we can reach across ethnic groups.”

The first episode released on July 4 attracted good response, with internet users from Singapore and Hong Kong tuning in.

“Having the performances on the internet can help more people appreciate them and perhaps prevent the decline of this art.

“Elderly viewers who appreciate this more are also very happy that they can access these shows online.”

Classic Accents set a target of RM50,000 to help troupes and to date, has raised a little more than RM52,000.

Chong will be heading to Penang soon to work with Chinese folk groups there with the aim of shooting their performances and adding them to the website’s collection.

“I hope to be able to continue in this way, with various performing troupes, to keep the art alive.” – July 19, 2020.