Lung Wai Cantonese Opera Troupe will perform three traditional Cantonese operas under the theme "Showcase the Performance Routines Inheriting the Grandeur of Cantonese Opera" in January. The shows are presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
 
     Performing virtuosi will include Lee Lung, Wong Chiu-kwan, Wan Yuk-yu, Yat Dim-hung, Wang Kit-ching (January 5 only), Ko Lai (January 20 and 21 only) and Ruan Dewen. Details of the performances are as follows:
 
     The first performance is "The Match Made at the Colourful Tower", based on a famous play in which the leads can perform their best singing, gesturing and stylised traditional Cantonese operatic movements. While incorporating the well-known formulaic performance routines of "hand-beating", "bidding farewell at the cave" and "arriving at the palace", the essence of the play can also be found in other scenes, such as "wujiapo" (return to the cave) and "visiting the cold cave" (mother-and-daughter reunion). The segment on "bidding farewell at the cave" not only features the traditional stylised movements but is also sung and played in the official Guanhua dialect, which is very rare. The performance will be staged at 7.30pm on January 5 (Friday) at the Auditorium of Tsuen Wan Town Hall.
 
     The second performance is "Death of a Loyal Warrior", based on the famous play that brought Dr Lam Kar-sing to fame. The tight-knit plot begins with a series of action movements in the first scene "urging the son onto the trip", including a formulaic performance of "gait motion". The combat skills in the second scene feature martial routines such as "military launch", "metal rooster" and "large-scale battle". The "son-killing" routine in the final scene calls for the concerted collaboration of multiple actors and includes a large number of gait motions and stylised actions. The performance will be staged at 7.30pm on January 20 (Saturday) at the Auditorium of Tuen Mun Town Hall.
 
     The third performance is "Lovers at the Mercy of the Sword", based on a play with a very complicated plot. The female lead plays two roles and performs a series of "misunderstanding" scenes with the two male leads. Two "wife-killing" performance routines are enacted, namely "killing of the loyal wife", and "killing of a treacherous wife". The performance will be staged at 7.30pm on January 21 (Sunday) at the Auditorium of Tai Po Civic Centre.
 
     Tickets priced from $120 to $280 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/programs_413.html.
 
     A pre-performance talk (in Cantonese) will be held at 7.30pm on December 18 (Monday) at AC2, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Speakers will include Lee Lung, Wong Chiu-kwan, Ko Lai and Ruan Dewen. Admission is free with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.
 

Ends/Friday, November 10, 2017
Issued at HKT 10:30

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