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The Zhao Qun Ying Cantonese Opera Troupe will present three traditional Cantonese opera works, namely "The Tragedy of Two Patriotic Brothers", "Dik Ching Crashing Through Three Passes" and "The Sounds of Battle", from August to October.
The cast will include Liang Zhaoming, Wong Chiu-kwan, Wan Yuk-yu, Lui Hung-kwong, Liu Kwok-sum, Ko Lai, Song Hungbo and Yam Dan-fung.
The story of "The Tragedy of Two Patriotic Brothers" unfolds when the Emperor in the Ming Dynasty is foolish, and Guo Zhang (the father of the Emperor's concubine) and the imperial concubine of the Western Palace secretly conspire with King Wa Ci to invade the country. The Zhong brothers in return rally a group of righteous patriots to thwart the conspiracy, with the old general Zhong ordering his eldest son, Xiao Quan, to take command of military affairs on the border. When Guo Zhang and King Wa Ci seize the opportunity to invade, they are totally defeated by Xiao Quan and his troops. King Wa Ci then orders Guo Zhang to execute Xiao Quan to vent his anger. What will happen to Xiao Quan?
"Dik Ching Crashing Through Three Passes" takes place during the northern Song dynasty when Liao troops invade Song territory. In the vanguard of the Song army, Jiao Tinggui is not familiar with the terrain and, misdirected by the wicked Pang Hong, leads Dik Ching and his army into Shanshan state instead. Ching realises this fatal mistake when, after struggling through three passes, he comes face-to-face with an army that Princess Shuangyang of the Shanshan state has sent to meet him. The princess, however, admires Ching's martial arts and the two end up getting married. One day, Tinggui brings Ching a letter from home, telling him that his mother is in prison. Ching is extremely upset. How will the story end?
"The Sounds of Battle" is set in the Warring States period. The states of Qin and Zhao are close allies, and the state of Qi has launched an attack against Zhao, taking advantage of the recent death of the king and his young successor. The Qin state proposes harsh conditions on Princess Cuibi of Zhao for borrowing troops. Princess Cuibi does not want to see her younger brother become a hostage, so a Zhao senior minister recommends his foster son Qingyun to save the country. The princess later makes Qingyun a general and eventually falls in love with him. After Qin and Zhao join forces to repel the Qi army, the king of Qin threatens to take the crown prince of Zhao as a hostage unless Cuibi marries him. Qingyun decides to enter a final fight with the Qin king. Will Qingyun be able to win Cuibi back?
The details of the programme are as follows:
"The Tragedy of Two Patriotic Brothers"
August 31 (Saturday), 7.30pm
Auditorium, Tai Po Civic Centre
Ticket prices: $220, $160, $100
"Dik Ching Crashing Through Three Passes"
September 2 (Monday), 7.30pm
Theatre, Ko Shan Theatre
Ticket prices: $260, $200, $160, $100
"The Sounds of Battle"
October 4 (Friday), 7.30pm
Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall
Ticket prices: $240, $200, $160, $100
The programme is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets 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 full-time students and 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/program_295.html. For ticketing enquiries, please call 2734 9009. For telephone credit card booking, please call 2111 5999, and for Internet booking, please visit www.urbtix.hk.
A free "Post-performance Meet-the-artist Session" conducted in Cantonese will be held to tie in with the programme. Details are as follows:
October 3 (Thursday), 7.30pm
AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Speakers: Liang Zhaoming, Wong Chiu-kwan
Ends/Monday, July 22, 2013
Issued at HKT 11:18
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