织云潮剧团 – 狸猫换太子 （结局）
2008年9月9日（农历八月初十）



看完头连，当然要去看结局。我本身就很喜欢这部戏，尤其是会李后那场戏，听得我如痴如醉，不会看戏的人会说不好看，那两个人唱了整个小时，哈哈。我之所以会这样说是因为我看到一位常看戏的大婶大省和朋友说‘今晚的戏不好看，为什么不演赵少卿呢！’。



李后产下仁宗太子以后，刘后与郭槐同谋猫儿换太子，火烧碧云宫，欲害李后母子。宫人将太子救往南清宫与狄太后抚养。李后逃至陈州，路上得一义儿郭海寿，相依为命，居于破窑中，凡十八载。一日，包公路过陈州，因飘落纱帽于郭海寿菜筐之内，得会李后。悉李后十八年冤情，即转道回朝，奏知仁宗。仁宗悲愤次集，即拿郭槐问斩。刘太后闻讯，自缢而亡。次日，包公护驾至陈州，接李后回宫，仁宗母子团圆。



狸猫换太子 （结局）的演员名单有：
钟喜坤饰演包公
温赛真饰演李后
杨蕙君饰演宋仁宗
侬雅饰演郭海寿
亚珍饰演刘后
亚达妻（亚蓬）饰演寇宫女
亚达饰演郭槐





今晚往后台跑几次，和乌衫温赛真 以及亚珍聊天，赛真告诉我明晚演‘告亲夫’。我说：‘你演颜秋蓉吗？’。赛真说: ‘是的’。我转头问亚珍，她说会演梅香。 我又问谁演演盖联才。答案有点意外，是亚陆。

织云潮剧团 – 狸猫换太子 （头连）
2008年9月8日（农历八月初九）



据说广东潮剧院一团最近也在大陆演出这部潮剧经典。我看了不同潮剧团体演过这部戏，真是百看不厌。



北狄犯境，宋真宗御驾亲征。西宫李妃喜产太子，东宫刘后惧皇位旁落，与郭槐密谋，猫儿换太子，命寇 宫女丢下金鲤池。寇宫女不忍，诉真情于陈琳。陈琳冒死救下太子交狄后抚养。刘后火烧碧云宫，寇宫女冒死救出李妃。刘后拷审寇宫女，并命陈琳将其毒打。为护忠良幼主，寇宫女含恨撞案。






整部戏没什么冷场，看得大家如痴如醉。 在演出最后一场好戏时，天空突然降了倾盆大雨。虽然雨滴嘀嗒嘀嗒地落在帐棚上，但雨声没影响大家看陈琳被刘后逼打寇宫女的精彩演出。



狸猫换太子 （头连）的演员名单有：
钟喜坤饰演宋真宗
温赛真饰演刘后
亚珍饰演李后
亚达饰演郭槐
侬雅饰演碧云
亚达妻饰演寇宫女
杨蕙君饰演陈琳



演出结束时，雨还是下个不停。看看手表，已经是接近晚上11点，心想该如何是好。这时救星来了，老生钟喜坤撑了一把大雨伞迎面而来，于是我搭着顺风伞到车站坐得士回家。

织云潮剧团 - 血溅三宝袍
2008年9月7日（农历八月初八）



终于盼到2008年9月7日（农历八月初八）了。记得那天在大巴窑看织云潮剧团的演出时，老生钟喜坤对我说该团会在这个时候在宏茂桥第十道大牌465附近的波东巴西联合庙演出。由于太太出国公干，我把孩子打点好了，托家母帮忙看护，就驾车去看织云潮剧团演出扳大仙的日戏。



到了十巷，找了一下，好不容易才找到戏台。 怎么戏台还没动静呢！左看右看，哈哈，看到了钟喜坤先生。 问过以后才知道原来该团在12点的时候就演出扳大仙了。哎呀，错过演出，于是便坐下来和他聊天。过了一阵子，亚达也来了。谈了一下才知道那天演‘包公斩皇亲’的小生原来是个男演员， 名叫亚陆。我开玩笑说还以为她是女生呢！因为去年看中玉楼春潮剧团的演出时，有观众也在好奇他到底是男的还是女的。哈哈，总算真相大白了。听到老生说晚上会演新戏‘血溅三宝袍’兴奋不已。那亚达肯定会演太监刘瑾，那老生钟喜昆应该会演钱尚杰吧。



晚上7点30分一到，锣鼓声响起， 戏开锣了。奇怪，看到钱尚杰出场了，怎么不是钟喜坤演的呢！乍看一下，原来是亚陆，而老生钟喜坤演蔡云鹏。‘血溅三宝袍’的演员名单有：



钟喜坤饰演蔡云鹏
亚达饰演刘瑾
谢妙珍饰演正德皇帝
亚陆饰演钱尚杰
侬雅饰演钱宗卿
杨蕙君饰演钱宗林
温赛真饰演乐平公主
亚珍饰演太后
亚达妻饰演岳诰命





由于是初出台的关系，一些场面连接得不是很顺利，不过整体来说还算不错，因为演员多，他们认真的演出和好声线带动观众欣赏好戏的心情。

织云潮剧团与我

能够和自己喜欢的潮剧演员近距离的接触,让我感到无比的兴奋。

2007年10月7日, 我决定再去看织云潮剧团的演出, 因为农历八月二十七和二十八是该团在新加坡的最后演出, 错过这机会, 就要等到明年了。

由于农历八月二十七是礼拜天,我用过晚餐后便搭地铁到大巴窑的修德善堂去。当晚织云潮剧团演出陈琳救主, 这是我第二次看该团演出此戏。 上次在义顺演出时,用的戏名是 狸猫换太子。到了善堂时, 戏还没开罗。我看到那位演花脸的泰国乌净演员正在台下,然后走去善堂。于是我便跟着去,找机会认识他。原来他叫亚达, 过后他邀请我到后台去。我看了一会儿的戏, 就壮胆去后台找演员。戏班的后台东西很多。 首先看到亚兴,便和他打个招呼,让后找接机和泰国小生拍照,知道她叫亚云。也和该团的花旦兼乌衫温赛真拍照, 当然少不了和亚达一起拍照。我也把和泰国著名小生陈嫦娥的合拍照片与他们分享 。 他们是泰国人,当然认识泰国著名小生陈嫦娥。

本来以为今天是最后一天看织云潮剧团的演出, 但是由于亚达借我的相机看照片时,知道他很喜欢自己的照型, 所以我决定隔天再来, 送他们一些照片。2007年10月8日下午, 我赶紧把一些照片拿去冲洗, 准备晚上拿去分给演员们。当晚下着细雨, 但我还是照去不误, 因为这是演员们在新加坡的最后一天。当晚,织云潮剧团演出包公会李后。赶到时, 看到饰演包公的老生钟喜坤, 正在与饰演李后的乌杉温赛真在演对手戏。 因为下雨的关系, 戏台前挤满人, 我只好走去后台找演员。第一个看到是小生亚云, 正有两个戏迷围着她。我把照片交给她, 看得出她很开心。 过后我和亚兴交谈, 并把照片交给他。 原来他在加入织云之前是在中玉楼春潮剧团演出。亚兴是新加坡人, 它告诉我加入织云雨有四年。他盛情邀请我去马来西亚柔佛洲看他们演出,我说不大方便。看到时他会打手机给我吗!。

台前正是包公和李后在演对手戏, 我也小声的帮腔, 哼着我熟悉的唱段, 饰演包公的钟喜坤听到, 把头往后看, 显然有点惊讶。好不容易等到了包公和李后唱完他门的戏。 老生钟喜坤在休息时, 我把照片交给他, 看得出他很兴奋, 还问我在那里拍的。 我也把照片交给花旦兼乌衫温赛真, 并和她交谈了一下。坐在一旁的演员也有兴趣欣赏照片, 我向她说因为和她不熟, 没冲洗照片给她。过后知道她叫亚珍。

亚达终于出现了,我把照片交给他, 然后就站在虎度们看戏。亚云一看到我便微笑。过后, 我向温赛真, 亚大, 亚兴和其他演员道别。走到台下, 天空依然下着毛毛雨, 我向在台上的亚云挥手道别, 不知她有没有看到我。我抱着很兴奋的心情回家, 还把事情的经过与老婆分享。

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.