Innovation

These photographs of productions at the Great China and Mandarin Theatres in San Francisco's Chinatown illustrate some of the innovative techniques introduced in the 1920s and 1930s.

From 1852 until the 1880s, Chinese Opera productions in San Francisco differed little from those staged in China, but there were startling changes over the turn of the century: backdrops, realistic props and new themes were introduced: actresses appeared on stage.

These and other photographs from the Wiley Wong Collection shown in this exhibition were made by the late Leo Chan, proprietor of the May Photographic Studio on Sacramento Street in San Francisco's Chinatown, 1920-1960.