孟丽君 - 陈楚蕙,方巧玉
新天彩潮剧团
Another Teochew Movie By The Heavenly King 陈楚蕙

孟丽君 is a very popular script as it has been produced in movies of different dialect groups, for example, Teochew, Hokkien etc. In the 1980s, there was also a very popular Chinese serial produced by Taiwan and a Taiwanese actress known as 陈丽丽 played the role as 孟丽君.

I like the original soundtrack of the Teochew movie 孟丽君 by 陈楚蕙 and 方巧玉 of 新天彩潮剧团. I watched that movie screened on Channel 8 of television Singapore many years ago. My mother and sister also like this movie very much and they spent some money to buy a set of 3LP (large plate) black records in the 1970s.

There is also another Teochew movie 孟丽君 by 庄雪娟 and 石玲 of 東山潮剧团. It is a totally different production compared to that of 新天彩潮剧团 as the movie has more dialogues than opera singing. I managed to rent the video from a shop near Yishun swimming complex in the 1990s. Not sure if the shop still keeps a copy of the video tape.

I have also watched the stage performance by 陈楚蕙 when 楚蕙潮剧团 performed in Singapore. I remembered I went there after work and paid for a $30 ticket just to have a closer look of 陈楚蕙. Below is a picture of 孟丽君 by 楚蕙潮剧团.

陈楚蕙 also performed 孟丽君 when she paired up with 谢子兰 of 泰中潮剧团 in the 1980s. See pictures below.

I am still waiting for the release of 孟丽君 by 陈楚蕙 and 方巧玉 of 新天彩潮剧团 on VCD.

严兰贞打破玉花瓶 - 陈楚蕙, 曾珊凤
白 字 戏 - 放走曾荣
严 兰 贞 - 背 夫
Another Tale of Teochew Opera

I like the original soundtrack of the Teochew Opera movie 严兰贞打破玉花瓶 by 陈楚蕙 and 曾珊凤 very much. I can sing several segments of the movie. However, I have not able to watch this movie on TV or via VCD.

In early 2000s, the Television Corporation of Singapore screened a 40-minute 白 字 戏 entitled 放走曾荣 on TV Central. I was extremely thrilled to discover the programme while reading the newspapers that Saturday morning. I told my mum about the good news and we watched that show that afternoon. The whole show centred on how 严 兰 真 saved her husband 曾荣 from her parents. Strangely, there was very little singing. The dressing and make ups were very different from 陈楚蕙 or local Teochew Street opera. But, it was my first time watching 白 字 戏. My late dad did tell me about 白 字 戏 but I could not understand what he was trying to tell me until I saw it myself. I undertand that in the past, 白 字 戏 was a type of performance dedicated to the high class rich Teochew people. Later, Teochew opera stole the thunder and emerged as a popular entertainment.

In Nov 2004, 陈楚蕙 returned to Singapore to perform two weeks. We did not have much time so we decided to watch some 折子戏 on a particular Sunday. Then, we were shocked that the tickets for that particular Sunday was sold out before 陈楚蕙 commenced her series of performance. Later, we discovered that all the tickets were booked by Nee Soon East Community Club. A/P Ho Peng Kee was the MP for that consituency. The tickets were sold to residents at $6 each, on a first come first serve basis with no seat number assigned. My wife and I made some enquiries and managed to buy 6 tickets for the whole family.

On that day, A/P Ho Peng Kee was present and he gave some short remarks. However, we were quite unhappy with the organizer. They changed the set of 折子戏 just before the commencement of the show. Actually, we wanted to watch 背 夫 of 严 兰 真 and 别 窑 of 红鬃烈马. These are two special 折子戏 that we wanted to watch. I recalled 陈楚蕙 actually performed 严 兰 真 in Thailand in 2002 but she never do so in Singapore. That year, I told myself that the 折子戏 背夫 should be good enough but to my disappointment, nothing at all. The only 折子戏 we loved for that day was 碧玉簪.

However, QL had a chance to watch the 折子戏 背夫 on a separate day. This blog shows some of the photos taken by him.

Watching 织云潮剧团 For More Than 3 Decades
Singapore Local Teochew Street Opera Troupe

I would like to share my experience watching 织云潮剧团 for more than 3o years.

My family bought a flat next to the wet market in Lorong 1 Toa Payoh in 1969/70. I was very happy because during that time, whenever there was a market or hawker centre, there would be local street opera performances because the hawkers and stall holders would pool their resources together to offer their thanks to gods and the lunar 7th month good brothers. This wet market has been inviting the same Teochew opera troupe, ie 织云潮剧团, to perform on the 26th and 27th day of the lunar 7th month, every year, without fail. The performance in 1970 was packed with audience. I recalled 织云潮剧团 attracted more than 1000 people to watch their opera performance in 1970. During that time, this was the only Teochew street opera troupe that engaged the rope and pulley system where the actress could fly up and down on stage, mirroring what one could see in Chinese movies. The first ever performance I saw was 胭脂魂, a typical movie by 长城 Movie production. There was a scene where the actress hung herself and 织云潮剧团 did it by rope and pulley system. They also controlled the lighting very well and the whole stage looked eerie.

From the 1960s to 1980s, 织云潮剧团 and 新荣和兴潮剧团 were the heavenly kings of the Teochew street opera troupes. They were like NIKE and SWATCH. All the old and young teochew opera fans knew them. I usually stand in front of the wayang stage and had the opportunity to hear old uncles and aunties telling stories about the show, about these heavenly kings personal life, etc. They had many supporters. There is no doubt that the number of supporters for artistes in the 70s and 80s is comparable to those who supported Superstar Search or Singapore Idol. I watched 张廷芳 by 九妹 in the day, and 辞郎州 in the evening. Still, I could not fully understand what they were singing but the actions tell. It was very much later that my mum told me 张廷芳 was a fugitive and married many women to escape from his enemies. I appreciated the plot of 辞郎州 much later after having watched it many times.

It appeared that Teochew street opera was more popular in Toa Payoh. It was followed by Hokkien opera. Like that wet market in Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, the organizers would invite Teochew opera troupe to perform during lunar 7th month and Hokkien opera during the lunar 8th or 10th months. The organisers had to take turn because the market had hawkers of different dialect groups. I remembered there was a particular year where a Hokkien stall holder became the 炉主 (akin the Chinese god appointed him to take care of the event the next year) and he objected to engaging 织云潮剧团 for the subsequent year. There was strong protest because no one could guarantee if 织云潮剧团 would return again if not awarded the performance contract for one year. At that time, it was very difficult to engage a popular troupe if no prior arrangement had been made. Finally, out of peer pressure, 织云潮剧团 continued to perform at Toa Payoh Lorong 1 market even up till today.

All along my favourite teochew opera troupe from that day I knew how to appreciate street opera till now is still 织云潮剧团. I heard from my parents that this was the only troupe that sent their musicians to learn from 新天彩潮剧团. The way they beat the drum is very similar. Their titles were very unique. They put up performances which were adapted from Chinese movies including 胭脂魂 and 神雕侠侣 from 长城公司 in Hong Kong. There were no other Teochew street opera troupes that performed shows adapted from movies. They also put up performances like 雪飞王子, 穆桂英招亲, 斩韩信 and 王宝钏 which no other troupes had done so. They also put up 一门三进士 and 柴房会 many times.

How I wish all the reputable teochew opera troupes can maintain the standard of performance they had maintained from 1960s to 1980s.

I know it is only a dream.

织云潮剧团 - 三 哭 殿, 包公斩陈世美
Watching 织云潮剧团 at Toa Payoh Lorong 1 Wet Market Again

On Sunday, 20 Aug 2006, I returned to Toa Payoh to watch织云潮剧团. Actually, I nearly couldn’t make it because my eldest son reminded me that I should stay back and go through his English exercises with him because he has English C A the next day. I told him to relax as we had done quite some revision that afternoon.

I reached Toa Payoh at about 7.50 pm. I was quite disappointed when I saw that title 包公斩陈世美 or commonly known as 铡美. Isn’t this the same show as秦香莲 which 织云潮剧团 put up last year at the same place? I was grumbling to myself. Then I discovered that it wasn’t the fault of 织云潮剧团. I saw two Chinese characters 专点 besides the title 包公斩陈世美. It means there was someone who wanted 织云潮剧团 to perform this show again. I went to the first row of chairs and sat on one of it.

After 京城會, the actual performance started at about 8.18 pm. Ah ha, I was quite surprised to find out that 织云潮剧团 actually put a 40-min 折子戏, 三 哭 殿. This is one of the 折子戏 which I like most. I remembered watching 织云潮剧团 putting 大唐英烈传 many years ago at Toa Payoh central outside the open space of Toa Payoh cinema. 大唐英烈传 has the segment of 三 哭 殿 and I was deeply impressed with 织云潮剧团 that time. However, I found the performance satisfactory only. Took some photos for sharing.

I recalled watching 秦怀玉 by 陈碧霞 and 罗桂凤 of 升艺潮剧团. It is the same story as 秦怀玉 is the husband of the princess 银瓶公主 and the father of 秦英. In the show, 秦怀玉 was stationed at the border to defend against the attack by Mongolains. His son, 秦英, killed the Prime Minister, whose daughter is the concubine of his father-in-law, the Emperor. Then, 银瓶公主 pleaded and begged for forgiveness from the Emperor and the concubine. In the end, 秦英 was not executed. I like the performance by 陈碧霞 and 罗桂凤 of 升艺潮剧团. I also like the cassette recording of 三 哭 殿 by 陈雪莹，陈其考，陈蟾娟 and 魏励禾 of China.

After 三 哭 殿, 织云潮剧团 staged 包公斩陈世美. This is exactly the same show which 织云潮剧团 performed last year at the same place but it was entitled 秦香莲. I must commend that man who played the role as 包公 ‘Pao Kong’. His voice is as solid as last year. He played the same role last year. I could not remember whether that actress who performed the role of 秦香莲 was the same as last year.

Wow! Something exciting happened when 陈世美 appeared on stage. I saw a few aunties, think about 5 of them, stood up and walked to the front of the stage. Each of them presented a red packet or ‘ang pow’ to 陈世美. This is a gesture to express support for their idol. H’m, think this is my first time seeing such act in Singapore. It has definitely boosted the confidence and status of that actress who acted as 陈世美.

织云潮剧团 - 秦香莲
Back To Watching 织云潮剧团 in 2005

Last year, I came to Toa Payoh Lorong 1 market to watch 织云潮剧团. The same actress who played the male lead since 1970 was performing on the first night. Guessed what show 织云潮剧团 put up? It was none other than 萧 湘 秋 雨, a show which 新荣艺潮剧团 always staged during the 7th lunar month a quarter century ago. It was quite a surprise to me for 织云潮剧团 to put up this show as they never did so in their golden years. I guessed this show requires less people and the props are not complicated. Anyway, I thought I was fortunate enough to see my favourite actress again as I missed her performance last year. I regretted for having forgotten to bring my digital camera along.

Then, on the second night 织云潮剧团 put up 秦香莲. The actor who played the role as 包公 was real solid. He could sing a few parts in the style of 外江戏. That actress who performed the role of 秦香莲 was good too. She sang and cried and I could see tears in her eyes and mucus dripping from her nose. Not sure if she is a local or from Thailand. And better, 织云潮剧团 was able to find two young children, one toddler and another boy about 6 years old to act as the children of 秦香莲. I managed to take a few pictures with my digital camera.

剧中 "杀庙" is also a common 折子戏. 广东潮剧院一团 performed ’杀庙’ when they came to Singapore in Jul 2006. 黄映伟 played the role as 韩琪. It is about 陈世美赶走香莲之后，怕生后患，竟派武士韩琪前往追杀。韩琪在“三官庙”追到香莲母子，经香莲诉说之后，为了不昧良心，韩琪终于放走她们母子三人，自己却因无法向陈世美复命而自刎。

织云潮剧团 to 金鹰潮剧团

From Yishun to Toa Payoh and Back To Yishun

Every year, the 26th and 27th days of the lunar 7th seventh month are two of my favourite days. I know 织云潮剧团 will be performing at the wet market at Lorong 1, Toa Payoh, Singapore. It has been the only troupe that performs there every year since 1969 without fail. On the 26th day of lunar 7th month, ie 19 Aug 2006, my wife and children accompanied me to watch 织云潮剧团. This year, another person, Q L, was there too.

What happened to 织云潮剧团? It is supposed to be one of the best among the 4 local Teochew Street Opera Troupes in Singapore. For the beginning segment 京城會, 织云潮剧团 only managed to have one soldier to accompany 狀元呂蒙正. In the past, there were four soldiers. Then, last year it had two soldiers. Gosh, just one soldier this year and that soldier was an old actor without any make up. My wife stared at me and we both sighed. I wasn’t quite impressed with the 京城會. Then, I heard some elderly men shared that 织云潮剧团 actually have two troupes during the lunar 7th month. They split the limited number of actors and actresses into 2 troupes to reap the maximum profit during this golden lunar 7th month. Well, if what I heard was true, then I would have to find another occasion to watch 织云潮剧团 again.

That evening, 织云潮剧团 put up 3折子戏, namely 包公赔情, 白兔记 and 回书. My wife and children watched for a short while and then we went to visit my brother who lives nearby. Anyway, 包公赔情, 白兔记 and 回书 are 3 very common 折子戏.

A short brief of 包公赔情. 包公奉旨陈州放粮, 有人告包勉贪赃枉法，罪证昭彰. 包公为伸民冤，按律铡侄，后回府向嫂嫂赔礼. 嫂嫂王凤英痛及母子之情，悲伤至极，怒斥包公忘恩负义，欲杀之以泄愤. 包公细陈情由，明之以理，终得嫂嫂谅解.

白兔记 and 回书 are 2 折子戏 that come from the same story 李三娘井边会. I like to watch 李三娘井边会 by 庄雪娟、丁楚翘. I have watched the 折子戏 by 姚璇秋, 张长城 and 陈瑜. Personally, I like the 李三娘 by 姚璇秋 and 刘咬脐 by 庄雪娟. A short brief of 白兔记. 沙陀村, 刘智远与李三娘成婚不久，刘智远被迫赴山西投军. 李三娘在家遭受兄嫂虐待，于磨房产下一子，取名咬脐。其兄狠素，咬脐险被哥嫂溺死，幸得窦公救往太原，交与智远，改名承佑. 十六年后, 一日，承佑外出射猎，为寻白兔，得会三娘. 虽各有疑惑，但碍于贫富悬殊，贵贱有别，不敢相认。三娘只好咬指写书，马前赠水，托承佑往军中寻夫问子.

Then the next 折子戏, 回书, kicks in. 刘咬脐归来，将李三娘井边汲水诉说冤情、咬指写书、托与寻夫问子之事，禀告父亲刘智远. 智远接看血书，确认其妻李三娘所写，思念前情，不禁泪下. 咬脐再三追问，智远遂言明写书人乃咬脐生母. 咬脐闻之. 放声痛哭，致惊动晚娘岳氏. 隐情披露后，岳氏劝夫命儿，前往井边，接回李三娘. Chinese write-up is adapted from 潮剧大观园.

At about 8.40 pm, Q L and my family left the place. Q L and I went to watch 金鹰潮剧团 at Yishun. 金鹰潮剧团 put up 红楼夜审. This is my first time watching the opera piece. Again, my camera did not work well and I only managed to capture some shots.

金鹰潮剧团 皇亲国戚
Watching Kim Eng Teochew Troupe For 3 Consecutive Nights

After having watched 金鹰潮剧团 for 2 nights, I decided to watch their performance again. On 18 Aug 2006, ie the 25th day of the lunar 7th month, they began their first day performance of the 2-day contract at 义顺南凤善堂. I stay in Yishun but I do not know where 义顺南凤善堂 is. I drove along Yishun East , then went round and round and finally found the temple near to Chong Pang city. 金鹰潮剧团 put up 皇亲国戚.

Gosh, then my A80 digital camera gave me some problems. The shots taken were quite unsatisfactory. Some of the photos shown below are given to me by A C.

金鹰潮剧团 假婿盗方
Watching Kim Eng Teochew Opera Troupe Again

On the 24th of the lunar 7th month, ie 17 Aug 2006, I returned to Ang Mo Kio Ave 10 again to watch 金鹰潮剧团. That night, 金鹰潮剧团 put up 假婿盗方.

I reached there about 9 pm. As I was late, I missed the first part of the show. I saw that part where the prince managed to get hold of the secret recipe by entering into a marriage.

Then he met his fiancee in the garden. Eventually, he was saved by a warrior and a white horse.

I realized that I was not the only one taking photographs. I saw three more young men. They looked like professional photographers as they were armed with rather sophisticated cameras. I only had my Canon A80. I wondered if they were there taking photos for commercial purpose or simply like me who loves to keep photos about Chinese opera.

Kim Eng Teochew Street Opera
金鹰潮剧团 刘明珠

On the 23rd day of the lunar seventh month, I went to watch 金鹰潮剧团 at Ang Mo Kio Ave 10. Thought I was quite impressed with tonight's performance 刘明珠. It is not about 刘明珠三审玉芝兰. The story line is about her grown up son. Strange, I thought in the show 刘明珠三审玉芝兰, 刘明珠 had 2 sons but this show only featured one. Any way, I was happy to watch 金鹰潮剧团 again.

Some other photos taken that evening.

New Local Teochew Street Opera Troupes Formed In 1970s/1980s
中源和兴潮剧团, 老玉梨春潮剧团, 金鹰潮剧团

Oh no, another local Teochew opera troupe will be folding up at the end of Dec 2006. It is none other than the well known 金鹰潮剧团. I recalled it was one of the troupes formed during the tail end of the peak period of Teochew street opera in Singapore.

In the late 1970s to early 1980s, new local Teochew street opera troupes like 中源和兴潮剧团 and 老玉梨春潮剧团 were formed. The actresses who played the male in each of the two troupes were from 织云潮剧团. During that time, 织云潮剧团 had too many 小生. I think they did not get enough opportunities to perform and they rather joined the new troupes as male lead than to remain in their troupes to play the role as supporting lead. At that time, the demand for Teochew opera was fantastic. 中源和兴潮剧团 put up a very impressive maiden appearance, 刘璋下山 and 老玉梨春潮剧团 put up 绿牡丹.

Then, came along 金鹰潮剧团. The main leads were from 新荣和兴潮剧团. They were 邓道兰 and 陈珍珠. They put up 斩 十 八 翰 林 and 屠夫状元 as part of their maiden appearance at Hong Lim Park where the opera festival was held. During that time, Hong Lim Park was packed with thousands of audience. 织云潮剧团 also staged a 2-episode opera called 仁义公主. I traveled from Toa Payoh to Hong Lim Park by bus just to watch the performances.

I have watched 金鹰潮剧团 performed 一门三进士 and 柴房会 at Whompoa market. Think these are two of their best performances they had put up in the 90's. I have not watched 金鹰潮剧团 for a while. Learned from a net friend that 金鹰潮剧团 only managed to secure contract to perform 20 out 30 days in the lunar 7th month. This is unbelievable. There are only 4 Teochew Opera troupes left in Singapore, namely, 织云潮剧团, 老赛桃源潮剧团, 金鹰潮剧团 and 新怡梨兴潮剧团. There are 2 other Teochew Opera troupes that do not perform very often. They are 老富贵春潮剧团and 正天香潮剧团. Not sure if they still exist. Therefore, I am indeed very surprised to learn that 金鹰潮剧团 is still unable to fill all the slots during this peak period. Gone are the days where all local Teochew opera troupes are fully booked for the whole of lunar 7th month.

Which troupe will go after 金鹰潮剧团?

五子挂帅 by 陈楚蕙 and 萧少云
Five Generals of the Liang Family

During that year when 陈楚蕙 put up the great performance 'A Family of Scholars' or 一门三进士, 陈楚蕙, 张应炎 and 萧少云 also performed 五子挂帅. This is a large cast with impressive military scenes. It is a tale about filial piety and sibling love. Despite the evil machinations of the devious Minister Jia, the five brothers of the Liang family succeed in restoring their father's good name. The greater part of the opera focuses on the trials and tribulations of each of the five brothers.

Mt first encounter with 五子挂帅 was through cassettes. During that year, 陈楚蕙 and 方巧玉 released a set of cassettes entitled 五子挂帅. Recalled that was the year 陈楚蕙 made a return for her stage performance. Then, I rented a set of VCDs which featured 陈楚蕙 performing 五龙会 (another title for 五子挂帅) with 谢子兰of 泰中潮剧团. Subsequently, 陈楚蕙 and 萧少云 put up 五子挂帅 when they performed in Singapore. When 陈楚蕙 returned to Hong Kong, heard she sold many sets of costumes to the then popular local Teochew Opera Troupe 新荣和兴潮剧团 and 新荣和兴潮剧团 managed to capture strong audience support for 五子挂帅.

My eldest and second sons know how to recite the 20 words lyrics from the show 五子挂帅. Here it goes: 抹我红鬃马，砺我青锋剑，请缨杀胡虏，忠孝万古扬 …..Cheng Cheng Cheng (the gong gong sound of Teochew Opera). My third son can also do that by echoing after me. It is never my intention to force them to accept opera. It’s just coincidental that they accepted the recitation with joys and fun. They don’t know how to appreciate opera but could stay through sometimes to finish the whole opera performance with me. All they know is such performance is ma ma’s 陈楚蕙, cheng cheng, cheng ……

梁山伯与祝英台 莊雪娟,石玲

香港东山潮剧团

In the 60's, there were two popular Teochew Opera troupes in Hong Kong. One of them was 新天彩潮剧团 with key leads like 陈楚蕙、方巧玉、陈丽丽、曾珊凤 and 张应炎. There was another troupe called 香港东山潮音剧艺社 or also known as 东山潮剧团. The key leads include丁楚翘、莊雪娟、石玲、陈金枝、黄艳秋、卢淑娟、吴泽、陈瑛、陈文昌、李缘绒、林静仪、李美英. As these were the two popular troupes during that time, they were in hot demand and faced stiff competition for movie productions. If you have read about news regarding fans supporting stars like 甄珍, 林青霞 and 林凤娇 in the 70's and 80's, you should be able to imagine the competition that took place between the 2 troupes. Any way, 方巧玉 was first with 东山影音剧社 and later she switched to 新天彩潮剧团.

Although I am a strong supporter for movies produced by 新天彩潮剧团, I also like many movie productions by 东山潮剧团. Some of the movies that are worth watching include 梁山伯与祝英台, 刘明珠三审玉芝兰, 天波楼, 吴汉杀妻、莲香戏鞋、双珠凤 and 喜门环. I did not get a chance to watch 双驸马 and 明珠宝剑 but I am quite sure these are good movies too.

I recalled watching 梁山伯与祝英台 by 莊雪娟 and 石玲 many years ago. It was indeed a very excellent production. The music, songs and script were composed and written. It was with much regret that I did not make a copy of the movie. It is difficult to locate this movie again.

梁山伯与祝英台 is a common and popular story which has been produced in 黄梅戏， 越剧，粤剧，福建戏 etc. Among these, I like the 黄梅调 version of 梁山伯与祝英台 by 凌波, a production by Shaw Brothers (邵氏), most. I can sing many of the songs in the movie 梁山伯与祝英台. The love story and romance between 梁山伯 and 祝英台 is comparable to many well known love stories found in English literature books.

I hope to find the 梁山伯与祝英台 VCD by 莊雪娟 and 石玲 one day. Not sure if any one has the VCD. If not, I hope to see 广东潮剧院一团 put up this performance the next time they come to Singapore. So far, only 林初发 of 广东潮剧院一团 acted in a 折子戏, 忆十八.

Lady Precious Stream - 王宝钏 (or 红鬃烈马)

Are you an opera fan? If yes, is Lady Precious Stream ’王宝钏’ or ‘红鬃烈马’ or ‘别窑’ a familiar title to you?

‘Lady Precious Stream’ was one of the literature books I studied in secondary school. Coincidentally, during that year, our local Teochew Opera troupe, 织云潮剧团 also performed 王宝钏 during the lunar seventh month festival in Toa Payoh when my teacher started to introduce the book ‘Lady Precious Stream’. As the script by 织云潮剧团 was very similar to that book, it helped me to deepen my understanding of the various segments of the story. 织云潮剧团 put up an excellent performance. During that time, it was a big troupe and was able to field different male and female leads to act as 王宝钏 and 石平贵. By the way, there is something that is still puzzling me for many years. Is the main male character called 薛平贵 or 石平贵? 新天彩潮剧团 and 楚蕙潮剧团 named the male character as 薛平贵 but 织云潮剧团 and 广东潮剧院一团 used the name 石平贵. Please pen your comments if you are aware of this.

There is a Teochew opera movie production by 新天彩潮剧团 but it is called红鬃烈马. Above is collection of pictures from that movie. 陈楚蕙 and 方巧玉 performed the role as 薛平贵 and 王宝钏, respectively. I have not seen this movie. I only have the cassette. What a pity!

In 王宝钏, I like the segment 平贵别窑 most. I watched 陈楚蕙 performed this segment with many different actresses. Personally, I feel 陈楚蕙 and 陈碧霞 had put up the best performance. Not sure if my assessment will change if I have a chance to watch 红鬃烈马 by 陈楚蕙 and 方巧玉. I have not been able to collect any photos of 陈楚蕙 and 陈碧霞 in 红鬃烈马. Below are some photos showing 陈楚蕙 as 薛平贵 (provided by Q L) and 陈楚蕙 and 谢子兰 in 红鬃烈马.