
***********************************************
An array of award-winning artists from the National Theatre of China will collaborate with renowned reciter Zhang Jiasheng, who is dubbed "one of the most famous voices in China", in two performances of "On Youth - Recitation of Famous Poetry and Prose" in March.
With live music accompaniment and elegant images on a well decorated stage, the performers will read or recite some of the best-known classics in poetry and prose, including Lu Xun's "Foreword to Wild Grass", Bing Xin's "Paper Boats", Zhu Ziqing's "The Retreating Figure", Zhai Yongming's "Ballad of the Yellow River", Alexander Pushkin's "To the Sea", Yu Kwang-chung's "Nostalgia", Ba Jin's "Family", Liang Qichao's "The Young China", Huang Boping's "Listen to Me, Child", Zhou Suotong's "The Yellow River on My Mind", Mao Zedong's "Changsha to the ci pattern of Qin-Yuan-Chun", Zhu Guangqian's "Twelve Letters to Youth" and Ji Xianlin's "Our Hopes are on You".
Performing in the shows will be China's top award winners of film, television, drama and theatre, including Zhang Fengyi, Qin Hailu, Kai Li, Han Tongsheng, Wang Weiguo, Zhou Ling, Wang Ying, Wang Nan, Chen Qiang, Fan Zhibo, Shi Chunling and Zhang Jie.
The National Theatre of China is the state performing arts organisation founded in 2001 through the amalgamation of the former China National Youth Theatre and the China National Experimental Theatre. The theatre offers a platform where tradition meets modernity and state-of-the-art performances are pursued to nurture theatrical masterpieces. It presents both Chinese and foreign dramas and explores both classical and experimental forms of theatre. It has ventured into new forms and areas of the performing arts, and endeavours to offer an open stage where new theatrical talent and excellent productions will emerge. Frequently invited to perform in Hong Kong, the company's recent productions include "Eighteen Springs", "Amber", "Red Rose & White Rose" and recitation concert "Listen to Love".
"On Youth - Recitation of Famous Poetry and Prose" is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and performed in Putonghua with Chinese surtitles and English programme information. It will be staged at 8pm on March 5 (Friday) at the Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall, and 8pm on March 6 (Saturday) at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall.
Tickets priced at $100, $140 and $180 are now available at URBTIX outlets. Senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients may have 50% off (limited quotas for CSSA recipients on a first-come, first-served basis). A maximum discount of 20% is offered for group booking. Please refer to the programme leaflet for details.
For enquiries about the programme, call 2268 7323 or visit ˇ]www.lcsd.gov.hk/cpˇ^. Ticketing enquiries and reservations can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone bookings on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at ˇ]www.urbtix.hkˇ^.
Ends/Friday, January 22, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:25
NNNN