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Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, produced by Hong Kong Jing Kun Arts Association and performed by Hong Kong Tang's Peking Opera Company and Hubei Peking Opera Theatre, the Peking Opera "The Romance of the Condor Lovers" will be staged at 7.30pm on May 4 and 5 (Friday and Saturday) at Kwai Tsing Theatre Auditorium.

The Peking Opera "Romance of the Condor Lovers", based on the story by Louis Cha, represents a fine combination of two uniquely Chinese cultural genres - Peking Opera and the swordsman tale. It is also a representative of Chinese romanticism and has its root in Peking and Kun Opera. It stages the story of the main characters "The Dragon Damsel" and "Yang Guo", portraying their true love which transcends all worldly shackles. In music, the original composition is a fine blend of Peking and Kun Opera; and in stage design, it echoes Chinese paintings with the use of unspoken but meaningful space. The essential spirit of the novel by Louis Cha is re-created on stage and the audience can expect a refreshing theatrical experience of a story well told.

The cast of this Opera is as follows: Tang Yuen-ha acts as The Dragon Damsel, Zhang Xiaobo acts as Yang Guo, Zhu Shihui acts as The Aged Naughty Boy and Zhang Huifang acts as Li Mochou. Tang Yuen-ha is the only Hong Kong artist to have won the Chinese Theatre Plum Blossom Award, the most prestigious award for Chinese theatre workers. She excels in both singing and acting, and is versatile in civil and military roles both in Peking Opera and Kun Opera. Zhang Xiaobo is an actor of National Class One standing and graduated from the Hebei Arts School. He is solidly trained in the martial acts and is versatile in various styles of fighting movements.

Zhu Shihui is a renowned performer in Peking Opera who has won the Plum Blossom Award twice. Zhu is a versatile actor and is commended by the experts for the male comic roles. Zhang Huifang specialises in the flirtatious young woman's role. She has a fine stage appearance and her voice is characterised by a wide range and a round tone.

Apart from "The Romance of the Condor Lovers", Hong Kong Tang's Peking Opera Company and Hubei Peking Opera Theatre will also present "Excerpts from Peking Opera and Kun Opera" which include "The Boundary Stake Pass", "Famen Temple", "A Visit to the Netherworld Hill" and "Marriage Proposal and the Response from Butterfly Dreams (Kun Opera)". These excerpts will be staged at 7:30pm on May 6 (Sunday) at Kwai Tsing Theatre Auditorium.

"The Boundary Stake Pass", also known as "Battle of the Guts", involves a lot of action to highlight the courage and loyalty of the main character Luo Tong. "Famen Temple" describes two eunuchs who have a rich exchange or repartee, delivering dialogues and facial expressions in quick succession and giving a vivid picture of the eunuchs sitting as magistrates for the first time, not knowing the law but attempting to collect bribes.

"A Visit to the Netherworld Hill" describes Judge Bao's visit to the Netherworld Hill, and features a long passage of fine singing by the actor in the painted face role. "Marriage Proposal and the Response from Butterfly Dreams" is a repertoire for "dialogue and exchanges" between an actress of the married woman's role and an actor of the male comic role. The emphasis is on meticulous and expressive acting, refined movements and beautiful singing.

Hong Kong Tang's Peking Opera Company was established in 1990 and in the same year was invited to participate in activities commemorating the 20th anniversary of the arrival of Anhui troupes in Beijing. The Company hires talents on a contract basis to promote artistic exchange and it also enjoys high reputation with both Chinese and foreign audiences.

Hubei Peking Opera Theatre was found in 1970. Over the years, the company has staged over a hundred traditional operas and created some fine new works. The company has trained a creative team of high standing as well as National Class One performers. This is a performing arts company with solid backup and tremendous strength.

Ticket priced $280, $200 and $100 are now available at all URBTIX outlets for the performances. Half-priced concessions are available to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistant Recipients (Limited tickets for students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Recipients available on a first-come-first-served basis). There will also be a 10% discount for every purchase of 4 to 10 tickets, 15% discount for 11 to 20 tickets and 20% discount for 21 tickets or more. A 10% discount is also available for Friends of LCSD performing venues.

In order to enhance the understanding of the programme, Ms Tang Yuen Ha and Geng Tian Yuan will be presenting a pre-performance talk in Cantonese and Putonghua on "The rationale behind the adaptation and the artistic rendering of 'The Romance of the Condor Lovers'" on April 22 (Sunday) at 3pm at Function Room one (AC1), Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. It is open to the public and the admission is free on a first-come-first-served basis.

Programme enquiries can be made on 2770 2275 while ticketing enquiries and reservation on 2734 9009.

End/ Thursday, March 22, 2001

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