About
Active Period
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Geographic Location
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Route for Zhang Tian Sheng 1909 Nanyang Tour
| Departure Date | Departure City | Arrival Date | Arrival City |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1909 | Guangzhou | 25 January 1909 |
ss. Kum Sang or ss Kumsang (金生轮船)
Singapore was the troupe’s entry point into Nanyang and served as both a base of operations and final performance destination. It had a vibrant Chinese community supportive of reformist drama.
| Departure Date | Departure City | Arrival Date | Arrival City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 January 1909 | Singapore | 28 January 1909 |
Kuala Lumpur is the capital of British Malaya. It was a major urban centre with an active Chinese community and Tongmenghui connections.
| Departure Date | Departure City | Arrival Date | Arrival City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 February 1909 | Kuala Lumpur | 4 February 1909 |
Seremban was a nearby administrative town with supportive Chinese community where the troupe performed briefly before looping back to Kuala Lumpur due to popular demand.
| Departure Date | Departure City | Arrival Date | Arrival City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 February 1909 | Seremban | 8 February 1909 |
This second stop in Kuala Lumpur followed a successful performance in Seremban, indicating high demand and engagement with the troupe’s messages. The troupe was re-invited back by Luk Chiu Kit (陆秋杰), who was then the President of Kuala Lumpur Zhenwu Association (吉隆坡振武善社) and the chair of the Tongmenhui Branch Office (同盟会分会).
| Departure Date | Departure City | Arrival Date | Arrival City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 February 1909 | Kuala Lumpur | 11 February 1909 |
Ipoh is a booming tin-mining town and recognised as a key economic hub in Perak with large audiences. They were invited by Leshan Tang (乐善堂) members, Lin ziwen (林子文) and He Bailing (何百龄). The troupe performed here for five consecutive nights, receiving local honours and gifts.
| Departure Date | Departure City | Arrival Date | Arrival City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 February 1909 | Ipoh | Mid-late February 1909 |
Kampar, Gopeng, and Taiping were smaller towns in the tin-mining belt in Perak with supportive and active local Chinese societies, forming a strong regional circuit for the troupe.
| Departure Date | Departure City | Arrival Date | Arrival City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-late February 1909 | Kampar | Mid-late February 1909 |
Kampar, Gopeng, and Taiping were smaller towns in the tin-mining belt in Perak with supportive and active local Chinese societies, forming a strong regional circuit for the troupe.
| Departure Date | Departure City | Arrival Date | Arrival City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-late February 1909 | Gopeng | Mid-late February 1909 |
Kampar, Gopeng, and Taiping were smaller towns in the tin-mining belt in Perak with supportive and active local Chinese societies, forming a strong regional circuit for the troupe.
| Departure Date | Departure City | Arrival Date | Arrival City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late February 1909 | Taiping | 4 March 1909 |
Penang was a major Straits Settlement port with a cosmopolitan population. It was also a cultural capital with strong press coverage. The troupe performed six shows across 5 days at Po Hing Theatre (普庆剧院). The performances were grand and well-publicised, drawing multi-ethnic audiences.
| Departure Date | Departure City | Arrival Date | Arrival City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 March 1909 | Penang | 14 March 1909 |
ss Rotura (洛打拿) – An asumption that 洛打拿 (Luo Da Na) is ss Rotura, which left for Singapore on the 12th of March 1909 [Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle, 15 March 1909].
The troupe was invited by the Singapore Zhenwu Association (新加坡振武善社), which they returned for extended performances.
Contributor
(2025) r_5. In Performing Archipelagos, Kim, Kyueun, Lim, Alvin E. H. & Sum, Hedren W. Y. (Eds.). National University of Singapore.
