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Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Young Cantonese Opera Artists Series offers opportunities for up-and-coming professional young performers to showcase their talent on stage. The series' coming attractions are performances by the Hong Kong Young Talent Cantonese Opera Troupe that will feature three traditional works, "A Triumphant Return", "The Rendezvous" and "A Muddlehead's Love".
The Hong Kong Young Talent Cantonese Opera Troupe is currently receiving a three-year grant from the Cantonese Opera Development Fund. With Mr Lee Lung, a veteran Cantonese opera artist, as the artistic director, the troupe aims to provide systematic training programmes for local young talents, and to improve their skills through performing opportunities and promotional activities so as to help preserve and rejuvenate this traditional art form.
The budding young artists participating in the performances include Lam Tin-yau, Lai Yiu-wai, Chan Hung-chun, Yuen Sin-ting, Kwan Hoi-shan, Cheng Nga-kei, Lam Tsz-ching, Wong Kit-ching, Hong Wah and Wong Po-hyun.
"A Triumphant Return" tells the story of Ye Baoxiang, the son of a minister, and the girl who falls in love with him, Dai Jinhuan. However, Jinhuan is also admired by Prince Wenling and is made the imperial concubine. Will Baoxiang be able to get his beloved back? Presented in the form of a tragicomedy, this performance is highly recommended.
Drawn from one of the most famous Chinese love stories, "The Butterfly Lovers", "The Rendezvous" tells the story of Zhu Yingtai. She disguises herself as a young man and goes to study in a boarding school. On her way, she meets Liang Shanbo. They become soulmates and sworn brothers, and Shanbo never discovers Yingtai's true gender. A letter from home urges Yingtai to return. When Yingtai is home, she finds that her father has had her engaged to Ma Wencai, the son of a mayor. The star-crossed lovers can only see each other once again in a chamber before they have to part forever.
"A Muddlehead's Love" is about the story of Meng Yi, the son of Lan Gate's Chief Commander, and his housemaid Chunjiao. Yi is a brave, ambitious and arrogant youngster. Chunjiao has a strong affection for him. On the other hand, attendant Zhao Dayong is a secret admirer of Chunjiao. One day, Yi volunteers to be sent to the front. Chunjiao teases Yi, telling him he will suffer a defeat in the battle. Yi is furious about her insult, and Chunjiao bets with him that she will marry Dayong if he triumphs, or else he will have to marry her. Unexpectedly, a series of strange happenings occur afterwards.
Details of the performances are as follows:
"A Triumphant Return"
September 4 (Sunday)
Auditorium, Tai Po Civic Centre
"The Rendezvous"
September 9 (Friday)
Theatre, Sheung Wan Civic Centre
"A Muddlehead's Love"
October 8 (Saturday)
Auditorium, Tai Po Civic Centre
All shows start at 7.30pm and are performed in Cantonese. Tickets priced at $140, $120 and $90 are now available at all URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by credit card telephone booking. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for full-time students and CSSA recipients on a first-come, first-served basis).
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7325; for ticketing enquiries call 2734 9009. For credit card telephone bookings, call 2111 5999. Internet bookings are available at www.urbtix.hk. Visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/000002d7.html for more information on the programme.
Ends/Thursday, August 4, 2011
Issued at HKT 12:26
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