Matchmaking at the Five-foot Way

Nam Hwa Opera Limited | Singapore

A love story set in the 1960s in Chaibow, Singapore. Ah Mei and Ah Sui met by chance in front of the Five-Foot Way. Ah Mei told about the experience of crossing the sea from China to Singapore as a “Samsui Woman”. Ah Sui is a kind-hearted and simple Singaporean, selling kueh teow at the Five-Foot Way. The two fell in love at first sight.

Chinese Opera. Duration: 42 minutes.

Written by Shen Xiangqu. Directed by Chen Yuzhi. Featuring: Li Lvqiao, Wendy Lee, Toinh Ngo Muay, Ong Xue Ting, Tan Bee Geok, Teo Lee Koon, Tan Phuay Kim, Low Ah Hoe, Tan Ser Noi, Christine AL Sng Mechtler, Lam Lai Peng, Tan Gek Yong, Chua Teck Hee Terri, Liang Foo Lat, Lee Joo Guan, Goh Soo Wah Karen, Phoa Boon Keng, Chen Liying, Li Yuanchao, Beatrice Koh Rui Shan, Gwyneth Koh Zi Lim, Sophie Ng Sze Khim, Chan Pak Young Liam, Jade Tan Yu Xi, Tan Qi Shang, Chan Leong Yu, Lim Kai De, Choong Shao En, Li Chenyue Grace, Aldrick Chee Yan Xian, Li Wenyue Sophia, Tan Ruiyuan Noah, Tan Zitong Leah, Lim Xin Chun, Lim Min Hao. Video Director: Chew Tech Yong. Videography: TY Photo & Video Service (Singapore).

Toh Lim Mok – Producer. Annie Tan – Production Manager. Erica Wang – Stage Manager. Guan Yan, Chen Yuzhi – Backstage Manager, Aaron Yap – Lighting, Asther Tan – Mic Coordinator, Shirley Yeo – Background Operator, Hong Ru Wang, Tan Pek Kuen – Make-up Artist. Tan Siew Sua – Hair Stylist. Anne Lek, Tay Ai Hua, Ng Gek Kee – Costume Dresser. Dorothy Lim, Terri Chua, Ong Xue Ting – Props Coordinator.

MORE ABOUT THE STORY: The story takes place in the 1960s in Chaibow, Singapore. Ah Mei and Ah Sui met by chance in front of the Five-Foot Way. Ah Mei told about the experience of crossing the sea from China to Singapore as a “Samsui Woman”. Ah Sui is a kind-hearted and simple Singaporean, selling kueh teow at the Five-Foot Way. The two fell in love at first sight. After some chit chats, they found out eventually that they are the blind dates that Aunty Chang Guang was trying to introduce/match-make.

The red headscarf is the unique symbol of this group of working women call “Samsui Woman” , with bamboo poles and baskets on their shoulders and a starched red square on their heads, highlighting their self-reliance and self-respect. Having played a pivotal role in Singapore’s urban development, they are regarded as examples of excellence and such an important part of Singapore’s history that the “Samsui Woman” has become a historical term. It promotes the spirit of “Samsui Woman” – hard working, perseverance, self-reliance and self-improvement.

ABOUT NAM HWA OPERA (NHO): Founded in 1963, Nam Hwa Opera has been upholding and carrying forward the traditional Teochew culture, promoting the artform of Teochew, and actively seeking breakthroughs in the field of performing arts. In addition to presenting classic operas, Nam Hwa Opera is also taking bold initiatives to combine modern technology and multiculturalism to create works of art with a “Singaporean flavour”.

In its existence for more than half a century, NHO has given hundreds of public performances for the purpose of enriching local arts and culture, and also to help raise funds for various schools, voluntary welfare organisations and charitable institutions. In 2020, NHO has been conferred the inaugural “The Stewards of Intangible Cultural Heritage Award” by the National Heritage Board. In 2022, Guangdong Chao Opera Theatre from China invited Nam Hwa Opera Limited to jointly establish the “Guangdong Chao Opera Institute Singapore Teochew Opera Heritage Centre”.

Matchmaking au Five-foot Way

Nam Hwa Opéra Limité | Singapour

Écrit par Shen Xiangqu. Réalisé par Chen Yuzhi.

Une histoire d’amour qui se déroule dans les années 1960 à Chaibow, à Singapour. Ah Mei et Ah Sui se sont rencontrées par hasard devant le Five-Foot Way. Ah Mei a raconté l’expérience de la traversée de la mer de la Chine à Singapour en tant que “Samsui Woman”. Ah Sui est une Singapourienne simple et généreuse, qui vend du kueh teow au Five-Foot Way. Les deux sont tombés amoureux au premier regard.

Opéra chinois. Durée : 42 minutes.s.

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