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

Yueju, one of the most popular traditional operas, turns over a new leaf by incorporating the genres of drama, Beijing Opera, Yueju, Kunju and acrobatics in a new production, "Kong Yiji," which has won thunderous applause of the audience at 50 shows in China. The exciting new production will make its debut in Hong Kong by giving performances at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre from August 19 to 22.

To enable the audience to gain a better understanding of this innovative production, libretti and dialogue with Chinese and English subtitles will be provided.

"Kong Yiji" is a four-act and seven-scene Chinese opera adapted from a series of short stories by famous Chinese scholar Lu Xun including "Kong Yiji", "Medicine", "The Diary of a Madman", "The Soap" and others. It brings alive on stage the character of a pedantic, down-and-out old-style literate-Kong Yiji whose dream of pursuing an official career ended when the imperial court abrogated the imperial examination system. He became desperate as he could not adapt to the earthshaking changes.

"The world of Kong Yiji is very similar to today's when people are facing new values at the turn of the century,"said the director, Guo Xiaonan who is known for a directing style that is meticulous, versatile, aesthetic and romantic. In "Kong Yiji, he merges the "poetics" and "aesthetics" of the dramatic arts into a perfect whole.

Playing the role of Kong Yiji is Mao Weitao who is no stranger to local Chinese opera audience. She has performed several times in Hong Kong and always brought new excitement to local audience with her artistic excellence. A National Class One performer, Mao is hailed as "Queen of Yueju". Her excellent performance has won her twice the "Plum Award" which is the top national prize for Chinese opera performer, the "Wenhu Award for Performance" and many other awards.

Used to playing the roles of handsome, romantic young scholars on stage, "Kong Yiji' is Mao's latest unremitting efforts in new development in Chinese opera. She has to play a hunchbacked lame, with a twisted shoulder on which hangs a thin cloak with a total different form and rhythm. While retaining her subtle and sensitive style in singing and diction and adopting some techniques from Beijing opera, Kunju and modern drama, Mao has successfully portrayed a down-and-out scholar of feudal times.

The production, which was well received in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Nanjing and other places, has attracted a large crowd of young audience many of whom are first-time Yueju audience.

Presented by the Provisional Urban Council and performed by the Hangzhou Mao Weitao Drama Workshop and Zhejiang Yueju Troupe, "Kong Yiji" is also designated as one of the highlight programmes to mark the 10th anniversary of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

Tickets at $320, $200, $130, $80 are available at all URBTIX outlets, with half-price concession for senior citizens, people with disabilities and full-time students. There will be a 10 per cent discount for each purchase of four or more tickets. Reservations can be made at 2734 9009 and programme enquiries at 2734 2929.

End/Thursday, July 15, 1999

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