Former Lai Chun Yuen, 36 Smith Street

Lai Chun Yuen was the most popular Chinese opera theatre in Singapore in the end of 19th century. Designed in the style of a Chinese teahouse, the building became popular. Patrons used to sit around small tables, sipping their tea while famous opera singers performed on stage. As Smith Street was famous for its brothels, wealthy patrons could enjoy the service in private cubicles rendered by girls from the brothels.

Opera stars and patrons from Hong Kong and China attended the theatre, which was decorated with dimly-lit lanterns, wooden balconies and painted ornaments. The most honoured star was presented with gifts of money, gold or silver pendants. On that time, opium and gambling was highly demanded. The more famous an actor was, the more he smoked and the more he gambled. In 1930s this lifestyle came to an end with the “talking movies”, that’s the reason why in 1941 Lai Chun Yuen was converted into a cinema, but did not survive the Japanese Occupation.