The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will bring Chinese opera fans two classics, "Romance of the Phoenix Chamber" and "The Villain, the General and the Heroic Beauty", performed by a star-studded line-up of virtuosi in June. Fans must not miss these classical plays with glittering casts. Featuring one "civil" and one "military" play, the performances are part of the "Cantonese Operas Across Time" series.

     The "Romance of the Phoenix Chamber" has both matinee and evening performances. While veteran artist Yuen Siu-fai will perform this signature play of his mentor, Mak Bing-wing, in the matinee show, the evening performance will be staged by young Cantonese opera performers, which signifies the passing on of the Cantonese opera heritage to new generations.

      "The Villain, the General and the Heroic Beauty" is a military play with casting of two pairs of major male and female roles that is less common to find in the Cantonese opera repertory. Featuring multiple martial arts scenes, the play promises to present a dazzling performance for audiences.
 
     Details of the programme are as follows:
 
"Romance of the Phoenix Chamber"
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Time and date: 1.45pm (matinee) and 7.30pm (evening performance), June 11 (Saturday)
Venue: Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theatre
Cast (matinee): Yuen Siu-fai (as Yerud Junxiong), Wan Fai-yin (as Princess Hongluan), Liu Kwok-sum, Yuen Tak-cheong, Fu Shuwang, Ruan Dewen, Cheng Wing-mui and Ng Lap-hei
Cast (evening performance): Ruan Dewen (as Yerud Junxiong), Cheng Wing-mui (as Princess Hongluan), Liu Kwok-sum, Yuen Tak-cheong, Fu Shuwang, Yuen Siu-fai, Wang Kit-ching and Ng Lap-hei
Synopsis: General Yerud Junxiong of the Jurchen Jin is ordered to take his love, Princess Hongluan of the Song, to return to her homeland. While sailing home, they save a girl, Ni Xiutian, who has thrown herself into the river in defiance of her father's arranged marriage for her. Pirates plunder the ship and Hongluan falls into the river during the melee, losing her memory, while Xiutian is mistakenly taken back to the palace. Xiutian's father rescues Hongluan at the riverside. He takes Hongluan in as his daughter and goes with her to the Shang family to fulfil the matrimonial pledge. Junxiong conceals his identity and goes to the Central Plains to look for Hongluan. Facing punishment as his real identity is revealed, Junxiong eventually sings "Song of a Barbaric Land" in desperation which brings back the memory of Hongluan.
 
"The Villain, the General and the Heroic Beauty"
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Time and date: 1.45pm, June 12 (Sunday)
Venue: Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theatre
Cast: Yuen Siu-fai, Wan Fai-yin, Ruan Dewen, Cheng Wing-mui, Liu Kwok-sum, Yuen Tak-cheong and Ng Lap-hei
Synopsis: The second prince of Liang, Wenyong, intends to usurp the throne after the death of the king. The veteran Zhao Jiguang and the third prince go to seek Princess Yinping's military support to help the virtuous crown prince to become king, but she has an affection for Wenyong. Soon after Wenyong secures his position by forging a fake will which cheats the princess, he decides to get rid of her. Fortunately General Wei Gancheng, a secret admirer of the princess, comes to her rescue.
 
     Tickets of each show priced at $140, $220, $300 and $380 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1301.html.
 
     A pre-performance talk and a post-performance talk in Cantonese will be arranged. The pre-performance talk will be held at 7.30pm on June 9 (Thursday) at AC2, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Speakers include Yuen Siu-fai, Wan Fai-yin and Yuen Tak-cheong. Admission is free. Telephone registration is required and please call 2268 7267 from 10am on May 30 (Monday). Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For details, please refer to the above website. The post-performance talk will be held right after the performance on June 12 (Sunday). Speakers include Yuen Siu-fai, Ruan Dewen and Ng Lap-hei. Members of the audience are welcome to stay behind to join.
 
     In order to comply with the requirements stipulated in the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, visitors are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" venue QR code with their mobile phones/other mobile devices before being allowed to enter the performing venues for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found. In accordance with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, all persons entering indoor venues under the management of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department must comply with the relevant requirement of the Vaccine Pass.

Ends/Friday, May 13, 2022
Issued at HKT 11:00

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