New Cantonese Opera "Battle at Wancheng" will open Chinese Opera Festival 2013
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     Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the annual Chinese Opera Festival will be staged in June, opening with a new Cantonese Opera, "Battle at Wancheng".

     The production is penned by Cantonese Opera virtuoso Law Kar-ying, based on a work from the traditional Cantonese Opera repertory but revised and revitalised with humanistic insight, character development and gripping action moved along by the tightly bound scenes. The introduction of the age-old "Paichang" staging - a formulaic presentation involving specific routines and delivery of lines - adds to the compelling mood that takes the audience right into the action to witness the defeat of the despotic Cao Cao. Law will also star in the production, sharing the lead with Yau Sing-po and Chan Ho-kau. In her portrayal of Madam Zou, Chan demonstrates her consummate training for the role. Zou is by nature chaste, well-bred and graceful, and Chan uses the stylised movements of qingyi to show these qualities of her character. But when Zou is given the mission of seducing Cao Cao, she turns into a vixen with lustful and alluring eyes. Yau Sing-po's Cao Cao is imposing as a politician but he reveals his lascivious side when he succumbs to the seductress. Law Kar-ying is the valiant general Zhang Xiu, who is fighting a lone battle. Law's solid training in stylised movements is highlighted in the many battle scenes. The production promises to be a powerful drama helmed by the three leading actors in Cantonese Opera in Hong Kong.

     The production is directed by Liu Xun. Apart from the three Cantonese virtuosi, also performing are Yuen Siu-fai, Hong Hai, Lui Hung-kwong and Wang Kit-ching.

     The new Cantonese Opera "Battle at Wancheng" will be staged at 7.30pm from June 20 to 22 (Thursday to Saturday) at the Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets priced at $420, $320, $220 and $120 are now available at all URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by telephone credit card booking. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for full-time students and CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis). For detailed information about the group booking and package booking discount schemes, please refer to the programme booklet or individual programme leaflet.

    For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7325; for ticketing enquiries, call 2734 9009. For telephone credit card bookings, call 2111 5999. Internet bookings are available at www.urbtix.hk. For more information, visit www.cof.gov.hk/2013/en/program_battle.html.¡@

     Free talks will be held to tie in with the programme. Details are as follows:

Pre-performance talk on the new Cantonese Opera
"Battle at Wancheng"
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Date/time: June 1 (Saturday), 2.30pm
Venue: AC1, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Speakers: Law Kar-ying, Liu Xun

Post-performance talk on the new Cantonese Opera
"Battle at Wancheng"
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Date/time: June 26 (Wednesday), 7.30pm
Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Speakers: Law Kar-ying, Liu Xun

Ends/Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Issued at HKT 11:38

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