Bangsawan and Jikey operatic theatre
The Nooran Opera troupe from the 1940s posing on an eloborate stage.
Bangsawan and Jikey are two forms of operatic theatre derived from genres that entered Malaya in the 19th century. Both are distinct from traditional theatre but Bangsawan, being the more modern of the two, fused Western and Asian elements. It comprised plays with spectacular settings, popular stage personalities, orchestral music, vaudeville and the latest modern dances. As a popular theatre form, Bangsawan laid the foundation for the local cinema industry.
- Information in the full article includes
- Origins of Bangsawan
- Characteristics
- Decline and revival