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The following is issued on behalf of the Provisional Regional Council:

The Provisional Regional Council will present a fantastic Cantonese Opera "Lu Meng-zheng -- A Poor Scholar on March 25 - 26 at the Auditorium of the Tsuen Wan Town Hall.

A Poor Scholar is a Cantonese opera co-produced by the versatile actor Yuen Siu-fai and famous critic Lai Kin. The artistic value of the it lies primarily in the skills of the actors and the deft interpretation of the libretto. In addition, the set design and other theatrical elements provide the artistic and aesthetic space needed by the actors.

This Cantonese opera originates from the Sizhuan opera "Tsai Liu Ji". Lu Meng-zheng is a scholar of impeccable character who has devoted years to the study of Classics, but fate has not been kind to him. He is reduced to live in a impoverished scribe. The Prime Minister Liu Zhong-shi lets her daughter choose her husband by throwing a bouquet from a pavilion. Lu Meng-zheng is the lucky one but Liu refuses to let marry his daughter to him. However, Liu Yue-e insists to marry Lu and as a result expelled from her home to live with Lu in the slum.

Because of poverty, Lu has to go to the temple every day to obtain a free meal. However, even the monks look down upon him. They ridicule him by ringing the bell after the meal instead of before the meal. As a result, Lu gets no food and goes home frustrated.

On his way home, Lu discovers footprints of a man in the snow. He suspects that his wife is not loyal to him. After exploring, he finds out that the footprints belong to the servant of Yue-e's mother who brings food to them.

The Meal-end Bell Incident causes Lu to work even harder at his studies. Finally, they save enough money for Lu to travel to the capital to attend the Imperial Examination. He leaves on the 24th day of the 12th Moon, the day every household pays homage to the Kitchen God. They are too poor to buy the offerings but he vows to the Kitchen God that he will make up for it when he sees better days in the future..

Lu Meng-zheng finally comes first in the Imperial Examination and all those who despised him come and flatter him. In the temple where he was ridiculed, the couplet he once inscribed with bitterness is now adorned by a length of green gauze.

The descriptive nature of traditional folklore is intentionally preserved in the "Lu Meng-zheng". It comprises of six episodes: At the Colourful Pavilion, Meal-end Bell, Footprints in the Snow, Worshipping the Kitchen God, Welcoming the Official and the Green Scarf. These scenes reflect the chain structure of the original story.

The story uses the past to reveal true values of the society to teach the younger generation. The famous and experienced Hong Kong theatre director Fredric Mao also gives advice on plot development and text interpretation.

The production places particular importance on dramatic skills needed to depict the various characters. The deportment of a performer shows the type of character being portrayed, while small gestures reveal the specific personality of that character. This time, the much lauded Cantonese opera actor Yuen Siu-fai has taken on the challenge to play a poor scholar, a character rarely seen in Cantonese opera.

Renowned actress Chan Ho-kau is a leading contemporary expert in interpreting the operatic role of 'Ching-yi'. She has been absent from the stage for a long time and her return with Yuen is definitely a treat for Cantonese opera fans.

There is a special arrangement for the choice of characters. All the characters are played by experienced actors and actresses, for example, Yau Sing-po, Choi Kei-lun, Liu Kwok-sum, Man Po-sum and Lui Hung-kwong. Great emphasis has been placed on creating a harmonious ensemble.

Besides, no western music is used for accompany music. This aims to restore the original favour of the traditional Cantonese opera.

Tickets priced at $90, $120, $150, $190 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price tickets are available to senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities holding a concessionary card, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Recipients. Concessions for the latter two are available on a first-come-first-served-basis. Half-price ticket holders must produce evidence of their identity or age upon admission. Friends of Pro RC Town Halls can enjoy a 15 per cent discount upon presentation of discount coupons.

For telephone reservation, please call 2734 9009. For enquiries, please call 2414 0144.

End/Tuesday, March 2, 1999

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