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Hung Hai and Cheng Wing-mui to star in Kam Yuk Tong Cantonese Opera Troupe performances
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     Acclaimed Cantonese opera performers Hung Hai and Cheng Wing-mui will lead the Kam Yuk Tong Cantonese Opera Troupe in performing two classic repertoires - "Mu Guiying Attack Hong Province" and "White Dragon Pass" - at the Auditorium of the Ko Shan Theatre New Wing in December.

     "Mu Guiying Attack Hong Province" will be staged at 7.30pm on December 27 (Saturday). The story takes place during the reign of Emperor Renzong of Northern Song. The Northern Liao state is encroaching on Song land, firstly by laying siege to Hongzhou. Mu Guiying is tasked with marshalling the troops to fight the Liaos, while her husband, Yang Zongbao, is to be in the vanguard for the relief of Hongzhou. On arriving there, Yang is piqued by the barrage of insults hurled at them by the Liao general, Bai Tianzuo, and leaves the camp without permission to meet him on the battleground. But he is no match for Bai, and returns dejected because of his defeat. Mu rules that he has violated the martial order and sentences him to 40 lashes, as well as to parade around the camp with a sign held above his head stating his offence. Yang is disgusted with such a high-profile punishment, and shows his anger when the two are alone. Mu tries to console him by accepting whatever harsh words he throws at her, while at the same time trying to talk sense into him by explaining her predicament. It takes Yang's mother to make him listen. The husband and wife finally make up, and fight together as one team.

     The second performance, "White Dragon Pass", will be staged at 7.30pm on December 28 (Sunday). The story begins as the Song dynasty's first emperor and soldiers are trapped by Bailong, the crown prince of the Northern Han, in the vicinity of White Dragon Pass. The Song general, Huyan Shouting, manages to escape with his sister, Huyan Jinding, by using the latter's guiles and her beautiful face. Once they are on safe ground they seek reinforcements, and the Song Emperor is eventually saved. Now the table is turned, and Prince Bailong is held under siege in the Flying Dragon Range by Jinding. Softened by the good memories they shared in the past, Jinding secretly lets the prince go free.

     In addition to Hung Hai and Cheng Wing-mui, the cast also includes Wan Yuk-yu, Liu Kwok-sum, Ko Lai, Ruan Dewen (first performance only) and Wang Zhiliang (second performance only).

     The performances by Kam Yuk Tong Cantonese Opera Troupe are one of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's "Chivalry and Valiance in Chinese Opera series" programme. Tickets priced at $100, $180 and $260 are now available at URBTIX. 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 are available on a first come, first served basis.)

     A post-performance talk (conducted in Cantonese) will be held at 7.30pm on December 30 (Tuesday) at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Speakers will include Hung Hai and Cheng Wing-mui. Admission is free with limited seats 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_631.html. Ticketing enquiries can be made on 3761 6661 and telephone credit card bookings on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk.

Ends/Monday, November 3, 2014
Issued at HKT 11:02

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