*********************************************************
Lung Tang Yan Opera Troupe will perform the late Cantonese opera playwright Poon Cheuk's renowned works -"War and Never-ending Love", "Love Revived by Wisdom", "A Pillar of Strength" and "The Matchless Pair" - in April. Details are as follows:
"War and Never-ending Love"
Theatre, Ko Shan Theatre
7.30pm, April 8 (Wednesday)
Tickets: $100, $160, $240 and $350
The story takes place in the early years of the Song Dynasty. She Hong, garrison leader of Shetang Pass, is an old friend of Yang Gun, Chief of the Fiery Mountains of Linzhou. However, they become enemies when a corrupt minister, Cui Yinglong, instigates a misunderstanding between them. Later, Yang holds out an olive branch and the two friends reconcile with one another. Yang's son Jiye and She's daughter Saihua are in love, and their marriage is in the offing. The evil Cui again plays his dirty tricks and raises a storm between the two families. Fortunately the truth is revealed, and the lovers become united.
"Love Revived by Wisdom"
Theatre, Ko Shan Theatre
7.30pm, April 9 (Thursday)
Tickets: $100, $160, $240 and $350
Both Shangguan Zhiming and Dongfang Jianying love Ximen Yuzhen, but the girl finds it hard to decide which one to marry. When foreign enemies invade the country, Ximen's father decides to betroth his daughter to Dongfang while Shangguan can only quietly wish them well. During a battle the trio rescues Princess Yuhua who unwittingly falls in love with Ximen, who is disguised as a man, and proposes marriage. Dongfang unveils the truth and recommends himself as Yuhua's husband. The much saddened Ximen fortunately has Shangguan's support and care.
"A Pillar of Strength"
Auditorium, Yuen Long Theatre
7.30pm, April 11 (Saturday)
Tickets: $100, $180 and $280
Ming Dynasty veteran general Tian Guozhu is fair and honest while military chief Bi Weide colludes with the enemy for personal gain. Bi's daughter Lanying has grown up with Tian's three children, and is especially close to Zhiliang. When the northern invaders breach the frontier, Zhiliang and elder brother Zhigang lead the army in the expedition as chief commanders. Due to Bi's collusion with the enemy, Zhigang suffers setbacks in the battle. Incited by Bi, Zhigang decides to sign an armistice with the enemy. Zhiliang tries to thwart this move at all costs, and in the confusion Bi stabs Zhigang and pushes him down a cliff. When Zhiliang learns of Bi's treason, he kills Bi in his wrath. When Lanying learns that her father is killed, she feels bereft and indignant, but promises to deal with the enemy first before attending to personal matters. After winning the battle, Lanying is about to take revenge and kill Zhiliang. Finally, Lanying learns the truth and reconciles with Zhiliang.
"The Matchless Pair"
Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall
7.30pm, April 12 (Sunday)
Tickets: $100, $160, $220 and $280
The King of the State of Northern Qi has been assassinated by the feudal lord, Gao Xionghu, who has his eye on the throne. General Xia Yunlong and his sister Yunxiang help the Qi crown prince escape to the neighbouring state of Wei so that they can seek refuge at the house of Yunlong's fiancee, He Caifeng, and later reinstate the crown prince with Wei military support. Struck by her fiance's handsome looks, Caifeng is willing to help him. But her brother Feihu is displeased on seeing him in dire straits, so he attempts to lead the evil King of Qi to capture the crown prince and Yunlong. The King of Wei, reluctant to make a new enemy, issues a decree that no fugitive is to enter his state. Yunxiang makes an earnest plea to Feihu. The newly widowed Feihu finds himself attracted to the beautiful Yunxiang and asks for her hand in marriage. Yunxiang feels herself duty bound to serve king and country, and agrees to become his new wife. This brings Feihu to their side, but still he needs to wait for his father's return before making such a major decision as military deployment.
The cast will include Lee Lung, Wan Fei-yin, Liu Kwok-sum, Wan Yuk-yu, Chan Ka-ming, Yuen Siu-fai (April 8 and 9 only) and Lam Tin-yau (April 11 and 12 only).
Born in Guangdong and resettling in Hong Kong in the late 1940s, Poon Cheuk came to be acquainted with a number of veteran dramatists in the Cantonese music genre. His talent came to the attention of Cantonese opera stars Cheung Yuet-yee and Tsui Lau-sin, and thus he began his career in the industry. During the 1950s, he partnered with Lee Yuen-man in writing film soundtracks, marking the start of Cantonese opera films. Encouraged by veteran transvestite actors Leung Sing-po, Chu Sau-ying and Chan Kam-tong, he later became a librettist for Cantonese operas. He was invited by Ho Siu-po, an impresario for Cantonese opera troupes, to write the libretti for the troupes led by Mak Bing-wing, Sun Ma Sze Tsang, Tang Pik-wan, Yu Kai, Lam Kar-sing and So Siu-tong. Some of these stage productions have been made into records and films, including "The Ghost with Six Fingers", "The Beauty and the Swordsman", and the Cantonese operas "Lin Chong", "The Empire and the Beauty" and "The Whims of the Heart". Poon retired from writing in the early 1970s and became a Christian. Spurred by his lifelong interest, he wrote more than 20 gospel Cantonese arias. In 2000, he wrote his last work "King Wu's Conquest over Yin".
"A Selection of Cantonese Opera by Poon Cheuk" by the Lung Tang Yan Opera Troupe is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets 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 April 22 (Wednesday) at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Speakers will include Lee Lung and Wan Fei-yin. 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_750.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/Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:41
NNNN
