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A group of experienced Cantonese opera stars and talented young actors will rerun "Investigation to Redress a Wrong", a production written in the traditional paichang (formulaic) style by Sun Kim-long, in November and December.
Paichang plays, or formulaic plays, form an important part of Cantonese opera. Paichang's components include special percussive points, set tunes, characters, plots and stylised movements. In the old days, paichang operas were often the work of impresarios' assistants, who would cherry-pick certain pieces or scenes to form a single production. These productions formed the basis for what became the traditional Cantonese opera repertory as it is known today. Sun follows the traditional paichang form and "Investigation to Redress a Wrong" is therefore made up of segments such as "The Battle", "Seeing the Wife", "Reading the Petition", "Searching the Palace" and "Beating on the Closed Door".
The story follows Prince Gong, who runs into a gang of robbers while on a hunt and is rescued by Wang Yingcai and Wenyong, who become the prince's new recruits. The ambitious Wenyong fawns over the prince and becomes his godson, while Yingcai is despatched to Shanxi as a general. Wenyong has long harboured lascivious desires for Yingcai's wife, Madam He, and on the pretext of seeing Yingcai off, pushes him into a river. Wenyong then visits the Wang family's home, makes advances towards Madam He and injures Wang's father in a fight. The family members flee and Wang's father later dies from his injuries. The county prefect, who happens to be on an inspection round, takes up the case, but when he confronts Wenyong, he is killed in the Wang family's home. Madam He flees amid the confusion. Meanwhile, Yingcai has luckily escaped death, and on his way home, rescues his drowning wife who has thrown herself into the river in desperation. The two file a complaint with the Imperial Commissioner, Prince Pingnan, who is on an official visit. However, Prince Gong wants to cover up for Wenyong, so Prince Pingnan sends Yingcai to search Prince Gong's palace armed with the gold tablet bestowed on him by the late Emperor, that gives him authority to override any other orders or ranks. Wenyong is found hiding underground. Yingcai's wrong is redressed and the family is re-united.
Details of the programmes are as follows:
November 20 (Friday) 7.30pm
Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall
Tickets: $100, $180, $240 and $300
Cast: Lee Lung, Lung Koon-tin, Sun Kim-long, Wong Chiu-kwan, Liu Kwok-sum, Lui Hung-kwong, Song Hongbo, Lam Tsz-ching and Kim Lun
December 4 and 5 (Friday and Saturday) 7.30pm
Auditorium, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing
Tickets: $100, $160 and $220
Cast: Lam Tin-yau, Wan Yuk-yu, Sun Kim-long, Wang Kit-ching, Liu Kwok-sum, Lam Tsz-ching, Kim Lun and Szeto Chui-ying
December 6 (Sunday) 7.30pm
Auditorium, Tuen Mun Town Hall
Tickets: $100, $160, $220 and $280
Cast: Lee Lung, Lung Koon-tin, Sun Kim-long, Wong Chiu-kwan, Liu Kwok-sum, Lui Hung-kwong, Song Hongbo, Lam Tsz-ching and Kim Lun
"Investigation to Redress a Wrong" 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 7.15pm on December 9 (Wednesday) at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Speakers will include Sun Kim-long, Liu Kwok-sum, Lam Tin-yau, Wang Kit-ching and Lam Tsz-ching. 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_957.html. Telephone credit card bookings can be made on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Friday, September 25, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:03
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