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Cantonese opera to reveal the spirit of renowned Chinese dramatist Tang Xianzu
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     Ling Lung Cantonese Opera Troupe is preparing three performances for the coming months. The programme features Tong Tik-sang's masterpiece "The Reunion by a White Hare" in September and the re-run of "Recollection of Dreams" in October.

     "Recollection of Dreams", written by the playwright Wan Chi-pang, was first performed in 2006 with Geng Tianyuan serving as director and Tang Yuen-ha as artistic director. The performers were Cantonese opera virtuosi Lee Lung, Tang Mi-ling, Yau Sing-po, Lui Hung-kwong and Lam Po-chu. The work's creativity and performances were well received, and Wan has been working hard on revising the script for the re-run to be performed by the same fantastic cast in October.

     Wan said, "'Recollection of Dreams' is not simply another narrative based on 'The Peony Pavilion'. More importantly, it sets out to portray its playwright Tang Xianzu's spirit behind his creation of this play." Embittered by an undistinguished political career and chequered life, Tang vented his frustration through writing and injected his thoughts and passions into his masterpiece "The Peony Pavilion". In the passionate romance between Liu Mengmei and Du Liniang, Tang celebrated the genuine love that one ought to pursue in life. The script devotes itself to portraying Tang in the process of writing "The Peony Pavilion". "Recollection of Dreams" also presents in the form of Cantonese opera the lyrics and theatrical gestures closest to the original literary work. The actors will take up multiple roles in the performance, leading the audience along to re-experience the state of mind of the renowned playwright.

     Ling Lung Cantonese Opera Troupe will also stage a work by Tong Tik-sang, "The Reunion by a White Hare". Details of the performances are as follows:

"The Reunion by a White Hare"
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September 28 (Friday), 7.30pm
Theatre, Ko Shan Theatre

"Recollection of Dreams" (re-run) (with Chinese and English surtitles)
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October 6 (Saturday), 7.30pm
Auditorium, Tuen Mun Town Hall

October 7 (Sunday), 7.30pm
Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theatre

     All three performances are presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets priced from $100 to $300 are now available at all URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by telephone credit card booking. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients. (Limited tickets for CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis.)

     For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7325, or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/0000040e.html. For ticketing enquiries, please call 2734 9009. For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For Internet bookings, please visit www.urbtix.hk.

     There are free-admission talks (conducted in Cantonese) about the programme. Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pre-performance Talk
September 24 (Monday), 7.30pm
Speakers: Wan Chi-pang, Tang Mi-ling
AC1, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Post-performance Talk
October 17 (Wednesday), 7.30pm
Speakers: Lee Lung, Tang Mi-ling
Rehearsal Room (1), Ko Shan Theatre

Ends/Friday, August 17, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:12

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