As Taiwan's only totally homegrown theatrical form, Taiwanese Opera has been part of the lives of Taiwanese for nearly a century, keeping them company through good times and bad, from childhood right through to old age. Sitting on a swing right under the stage, watching the young actresses putting on their makeup while the actors cook up some food backstage, one gets a real feeling for why Taiwanese Opera has earned a special place in the hearts of many locals and become part of the collective memory of the Taiwanese people.

Most kinds of theatrical production can only be held on a couple of different kinds of stage, but Taiwanese Opera has continued to grow and evolve, reinventing both its style and substance to suit the changing times and the rise of new media. The performers have long prided themselves on their adaptability, taking on board all kinds of new ideas and adding to the richness and diversity of Taiwanese Opera. Over the course of time, Taiwanese Opera has taken on new performance forms, from the original Ilan Opera form, into professional theaters, onto vinyl and the radio, television and cinema screens, and into outdoor performances. As the times continue to change, Taiwanese Opera continues to move into new venues less traditionally associated with theater.

When it comes to the old days of opera, though, many people will just be familiar with the spectacular sets of the indoor form, or how actress Aikumizi's performances could make entire audiences break down and cry like babies, or the matchless talents of the martial arts masters who performed in the shows. Back in those days, though, they didn't have mass media to popularize the plays or players, so it's difficult to trace who the big stars were.

Now, after four years' hard work, the National Center for Traditional Arts has collected over 3000 old photos of performers from the 1970s and earlier, and published the 500 best as a book, finally giving people a glimpse of the splendor of the Taiwanese operas of past generations.

What kind of bumps and twists has Taiwanese Opera endured on its journey? And what kind of glory did it once possess? This new collection of old photos not only showcases the history of Taiwanese Opera and the vitality of its performers, it also gives us a look at those times that is beyond words. And come the end of this year, we'll all have the chance to share in celebrating a century of Taiwanese Opera.

1900

Ilan Opera

In the early days, Taiwanese Opera was the main form of entertainment for the farmers and peasants of Taiwan. Ilan's local opera style was performed by young amateur actors, and was the earliest form to include singing and dancing as part of the shows.

1920

Theatrical Taiwanese Opera

Starting around the 1920s-during the Japanese occupation-Taiwanese Opera moved into proper theaters. In 20 short years, it went from amateur song-and-dance performances to a favorite form of entertainment in theaters throughout Taiwan.

By the time the Japanese relinquished control over Taiwan, Taiwanese Opera had developed elaborate sets and excellent performance troupes, ushering in a golden age for the artform.

1950

Opera on the Radio and Vinyl

Radio broadcasts of Taiwanese Opera started gaining popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. The particular acoustics of radio opera led musicians to start developing new and modified pieces, greatly enriching the repertoire of Taiwanese Opera as a whole, while nurturing a large number of excellent vocalists and performers.

1960

Opera at the Movies

The first operatic movie was a black-and-white piece entitled The Tale of Six Scholars of the Western Chamber, produced by Yeh Fu-sheng, leader of the Tuma troupe, in 1955. However, the one that garnered the most attention was 1956's Xue Pinggui and Wang Baochuan produced by Chen Cheng-san, head of the Kungle troupe.

It is estimated that between 1956 and 1965, nearly 100 operatic films were released, making many opera performers household names.

1970

Opera on Television

In 1962, television station TTV started broadcasting. Making the most of this potentially powerful up-and-coming medium, televised Taiwanese Opera used a variety of shots, and started using outdoor sets and modern costumes and makeup. This helped take Taiwanese Opera from the fantastic and change it into a more realistic depiction of life.

Outside the Theater

As times have changed, Taiwanese Opera has moved out of the theater and into temple festivals, and its affability has made it a part of ordinary life.