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The Ko Shan Theatre New Wing (KSTNW) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) opened today (October 31) to further enhance venue options for Cantonese opera performances. It is also an ideal performing venue for other theatrical events by arts and community groups.
Officiating at the opening ceremony were the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing; Chairman of the Cantonese Opera Advisory Committee, Mr Charles Chow; Chairman of the Cantonese Opera Development Fund Advisory Committee and the Chinese Traditional Performing Arts Panel of the LCSD, Mr Frankie Yeung; Chairman of Kowloon City District Council, Mr Lau Wai-wing; Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li; and Acting Director of Architectural Services, Mr Stephen Tang.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Tsang said Cantonese opera incorporates various aspects of literature and the arts. He added that Ko Shan Theatre New Wing, which has been specially designed for Cantonese opera, will undoubtedly make the whole Ko Shan Theatre a cradle for the inheritance, display and performance of the Cantonese opera genre.
Opening performances staged tonight included the inaugural showing of "Prime Minister of the Six States¡¨ and the Cantonese opera "A Heroic Woman of the Ming Dynasty" presented by the LCSD. Written by Yuen Siu-fai, the opera starred various acclaimed Cantonese opera artistes and was well received by the audience with a full-house attendance.
Established in 1983 and renovated in 1996, the Ko Shan Theatre has become a popular venue for Cantonese opera performances. The opening of the New Wing marks the third phase of venue improvement. The New Wing is a five-storey building with a 600-seat auditorium that is particularly suitable for medium-scale performances. The venue is equipped with facilities that cater specially for the needs of Cantonese opera troupes. The stage and most of the dressing rooms are conveniently located on the same floor, and the increased height of the dressing room doors allows for easy access by performers wearing headdresses. Moreover, the high-ceiling rehearsal rooms enable performers to practise throwing acts. Situated on Ko Shan Road Park and built with a green roof on the third floor, the New Wing's design blends well with the park's natural greenery.
Upcoming celebration programmes at the KSTNW which will be held from today until January next year include Hong Kong Repertory Theatre's "Footprints in the Snow", Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe's "Riding by the Wall" and excerpts, and Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop's "Tik-sang Tong's Librettos LIVE: CantOpera Concert - His Butterflies". A fun day and an exhibition titled "Network Dream, Yet Heart" by Hong Kong Professional Photographers Network will also be organised with free admission.
Detailed programme information can be found in the programme leaflet distributed at all performing venues of the LCSD. For enquiries, please browse the website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/kst/services/eventcalendar.html or call 2740 9222.
Ends/Friday, October 31, 2014
Issued at HKT 21:30
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