**********************************

The Yuen Long Theatre, a civic centre which embodies years' efforts in planning and construction, comes into full operation with its official opening today (May 14). The Theatre represents a new impetus for the promotion of arts and culture in Hong Kong and adds a new cultural focal point in the northwest New Territories.

Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr David H T Lan officiated at the plaque-unveiling ceremony tonight, marking the official opening of the Theatre.

Speaking at the ceremony this evening, the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Paul Leung said, "To celebrate the opening of the Theatre, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) specially presents an Opening Arts Festival entitled 'The Wonders of Chinese Music and Dance', featuring many mainland and local performing groups in a series of performances and seminars."

He added, "The LCSD is committed to the provision of quality cultural and leisure services. With the commissioning of the Yuen Long Theatre, we can provide better service to the public. Apart from hiring out the venue facilities to cultural and arts institutions as well as non-profit-making district organisations at a concessionary rate, we will also actively organise a wide array of superb cultural programmes to enrich people's cultural life and widen their artistic horizons."

The Opening Arts Festival, to be held now until June 11, comprises seven programmes. They are the opening concerts "ROMANtic Rendezvous", a collaboration between renowned local singer Roman Tam and the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra; Hong Kong Dance Company's lush dance drama "The Princess" with a rich flavour of comedy; a multi-media production "www.SingSing-DanceDance@Yuen Long.com" by William Tang, a native of Yuen Long, contrasting the olden and present days of Yuen Long; the renowned Shanxi Wind and Percussion Troupe featuring the breathtaking instrumental sounds; the rarely-performed Cantonese opera "Four Scholars"; the captivating Chinese folk songs by the Chorus of the China Central Ensemble of National Music; and the Hon Fung Cantonese Opera Institute's "Cantonese Operatic Songs - Tradition and Modernity" presenting guqiang, nanyin and Cantonese operatic songs.

Except for the opening concerts "ROMANtic Rendezvous" and "Cantonese Operatic Songs - Tradition and Modernity", tickets of other programmes are available at the Yuen Long Theatre and all URBTIX outlets, offered with different discount schemes. Telephone booking: 2734 9009. Ticket enquiries: 2477 4935. Programme enquiries: 2477 5324.

The $565 million Theatre, under construction since 1994, is located adjacent to the Yuen Long Park, Stadium and Swimming Pool.

The Theatre houses a 923-seat auditorium equipped with advanced stage facilities, including the 24 remote-controlled motorised drapes that flexibly adjust the acoustics of the auditorium.

The auditorium is suitable for all types of performances ranging from orchestral concerts, operas, dances, dramas, to community productions and films.

Yuen Long Theatre also has one dance studio (180 sq m), one rehearsal room (192 sq m) and one lecture room (117 sq m).

Also officiating at tonight's ceremony are Chairman of Heung Yee Kuk New Territories, the Hon Lau Wong-fat; Chairman of Yuen Long District Council, Dr the Hon Tang Siu-tong and Acting Director of Architectural Services, Mr Kwan Pak-lam.

End/Sunday, May 14, 2000

NNNN