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Hung Ka Po Cantonese Opera Troupe will perform three works, namely "Lucky Stars", "A Triumphant Return" and "The Red Peony", in shows to be presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in March. Renowned Cantonese opera artists performing will include Lung Koon-tin, Nam Fung, Chan Hung-chun, Lui Hung-kwong, Chan Ka-ming and Sun Kim-long.
"Lucky Stars" tells the story of Shen Xiaofu, who stops by the gentlemen's club Pipa Garden and stays for games of couplets and pearl shooting. His wife, Yingchun, is furious; she scolds and punishes her husband. Yingchun's father Meng Junlu has a crush on working girl Liu Piaopiao and seeks Xiaofu's help by falsely taking the blame. Yingchun knows the truth and makes a scene at the club. She breaks up with Xiaofu and the family is torn apart. Yingchun finds out she is pregnant and needs to hire a maid, and Junlu and Xiaofu take the opportunity and set things up to reunite the family. Lots of hilarious moments happen over the course of the story, and the entertaining play offers plenty of auspicious entertainment for the audience. The programme will be staged at 7.30pm on March 4 (Friday) at the Auditorium of Tsuen Wan Town Hall. Tickets are priced from $100 to $260.
"A Triumphant Return" tells of Ye Baoxiang, the son of a minister, who is in love with Dai Jinhuan, a girl from a humble background. However, Dai's father believes Minister Ye is an evil government official, and therefore does not give his blessings to the couple. Prince Wenling orders Jinhuan to become his concubine in the palace, but Baoxiang and Jinhuan are already deeply in love and Jinhuan is pregnant. A series of comical scenes unfolds. The programme will be staged at 7.30pm on March 5 (Saturday) at the Auditorium of Tuen Mun Town Hall. Tickets are priced from $100 to $240.
"The Red Peony" presents the tale of poor scholar Li Hanyi, who cannot afford to sit for the imperial examination. He sells calligraphy for red lucky scrolls and offers face-readings at the Chang'an market. Li becomes friends with Shen Juxiang, who sells flowers nearby. Gui Shouling, the Prince of Cheng, visits the market and spots Juxiang. Gui is keen on sending Juxiang to learn at a study hall. Juxiang agrees to the deal so that she can support Hanyi financially. One year later, Hanyi wins first place in the provincial imperial examination, thanks to the subsidy offered secretly by Juxiang. Gui Yanchang, the sister of the Prince, adores Hanyi and invites him to meet at the study hall. Hanyi reunites with Juxiang there and is clear about what has happened all along. The Prince realises Hanyi and Juxiang are in love and imprisons Hanyi. The Prince then pretends to release Hanyi and to offer him an official's position in Suzhou, yet on the other hand he decides to send a letter to Xie Baotong, Suzhou's governor, asking him to do harm to Hanyi. However, the person in charge of the letter-writing is illiterate and as a result the contents of the letter become the opposite of what the Prince wants to say. Baotong follows what is said in the letter and performs the wedding ceremony for Hanyi and Juxiang. The Prince is furious about the outcome, but there is nothing more he can do. The programme will be staged at 7.30pm on March 6 (Sunday) at the Auditorium of Tai Po Civic Centre. Tickets are priced from $100 to $220.
Tickets are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999.
For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/program_1035.html .
A post-performance talk (in Cantonese) to be hosted by Lung Koon-tin, Nam Fung and Chan Hung-chun will be held at 7.30pm on March 7 (Monday) at AC2, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ends/Friday, January 8, 2016
Issued at HKT 10:01
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