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Kam Yuk Tong Cantonese Opera Troupe will perform two operas in December - "The Impetuous Generals" and "Reunion with His Wife by the West River". The performances are part of the "Chivalry and Valiance in Chinese Opera Series" presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The main cast includes Hong Hai, Cheng Wing-mui, Wan Yuk-yu, Lui Hung-kwong, Ko Lai and Pui Chun-hin.
"The Impetuous Generals" will be staged on December 29 (Tuesday). Wen Cuijun, the daughter of a renowned general of the Chu State flees to the Qi State and becomes good friends with Xiao Yue'e, the daughter of a Qi dignitary. Cuijun has two suitors - Liu Xiaotian, a decorated and capable high-ranking officer, and his cousin Chou Shangyi. Yue'e is fond of Xiaotian. The spy Luo Wenlong of Chu disguises himself and enters Qi; he befriends Shangyi to collect military intelligence. On the evening of the Mid-Autumn Festival, a battle breaks out between Chu and Qi. Shangyi joins the army and Xiaotian takes the opportunity to express his love for Cuijun; the two become engaged. Unaware of the engagement, Yue'e tries to pursue Xiaotian over drinks; Xiaotian hurriedly escapes the awkwardness by getting Yue'e drunk, but carelessly leaves a paper fan behind. Wenlong fortuitously takes advantage of the drunken Yue'e, who is misled into believing that she is being courted by Xiaotian. Cuijun is furious over Xiaotian's apparent cheating. Shangyi's mother takes the chance to force Shangyi to marry Yue'e. On the wedding night, Yue'e gives birth. To protect the good name of Yue'e, Cuijun takes the blame and claims to be the mother of the child. Cuijun is kicked out of the family, while Shangyi and Yue'e carry on with a nominal marriage. Qi and Chu go to war. Cuijun helps Wenlong on the battlefield and they capture Xiaotian, who is put on trial and accused of being immoral. Knowing it is a misunderstanding, Wenlong speaks the truth. Xiaotian and Cuijun reunite.
"Reunion with His Wife by the West River" will be staged on December 30 (Wednesday). The Prince of Xiliang invades the Central Plains; the Emperor leads the army but fails to defend his land. The Zhao brothers Yingqiang, Yingjie and Guo Chong'an pass by the battlefield. Yingqiang single handedly kills the Prince of Xiliang and cuts his head off, but Guo Chong'an takes credit for the killing by bringing back the Prince's head. The Emperor rewards Guo who becomes the Imperial Uncle. Soon after, Guo Chong'an kills Yingjie in a fit of rage. Yingjie's father dies of severe injury; the wife of Yingqiang - Huang - flees and seeks the help of a magistrate to get justice. Knowing he has strong backing, Guo kills the magistrate. Huang is chased and she arrives at the West River; facing danger, she is rescued by Yingqiang. The couple, as well as Chunmei - the sister of Yingqiang - and the fiancé of Chunmei, Li Pangui, meet. They discuss their revenge and decide to make a report to the Imperial Protector. The Imperial Protector hosts a dinner and tries to interrogate Guo Chong'an, but Guo suspects their plan. The Empress of the Western Palace, who is the sister of Guo Chong'an, attempts to rescue her brother from the residence of the Imperial Protector. Everyone gathers in front of the Emperor and gives him their version of events. The Emperor cannot make up his mind and commands that Guo Chong'an and Yingqiang fight it out in three rounds. Each wins a round. In the final round, Yingqiang turns his anger into strength and kills Guo Chong'an. The Zhao family gets justice.
The two performances will be staged at 7.30pm at the Auditorium, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing. 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).
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7325, or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/program_1006.html. For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999. For Internet bookings, please visit www.urbtix.hk.
A post-performance talk (to be conducted in Cantonese) by Hong Hai and Cheng Wing-mui will be held at 7.30pm on January 5 (Tuesday), 2016 at AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Admission is free. Limited seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ends/Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:38
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