This photograph shows Mdm Gwee Lay Keng 魏丽卿 posing on stage with fellow actresses from the troupe, probably taken in Singapore. She should be in her 20s when she took this picture. The girl, second from left is Soh Lay Choo苏丽珠, she specialized in comical role (also known as 丑角) while Mdm Gwee Lay Keng’s sister Gwee Lay Yong 魏丽蓉 is the second from right. The remaining girls were cousins of Mdm Gwee Lay Keng. From left to right: Gwee Lay Keng魏丽卿，Soh Lay Choo苏丽珠，Gwee Lay Yong魏丽蓉，Gwee Lay Mui魏丽玫. They are dressed for the performance Gathering of the Eight Heroes (八义会神州). The photograph sheds light on the relationship of members in the Sin Sai Hong Opera Troupe （新赛凤剧团）. The troupe was first established in 1910 using another name and was performing gaojiaxi （高甲戏） back then. The troupe changed its name to “Sin Sai Hong” in 1936 and changed to performing gezaixi （歌仔戏） which was gaining popularity in the 1930s. It is the oldest Hokkien Opera Troupe in Singapore. The Sin Sai Hong collection donated to the National Museum also consists of old photographs, certificates and costumes.
