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Led by Cantonese opera virtuosi Li Qiuyuan and Cheng Wing-mui, the locally based Kam Yuk Tong Cantonese Opera Troupe will perform the Cantonese opera pieces "Thunderbolt" and "Zhou Yu" in January. Cheng and Li are both famous for their acting combined with fighting sequences, while Cheng is an up-and-coming artist in the female warrior role. Their acting finesse in this military repertory will thrill audiences. Other performers include Wan Yuk-yu, Chan Kam-shing, Ko Lai and Sung Hung-bo.
"Thunderbolt" is about what happened to the God of Thunder and the Peach Blossom Fairy after they were banished from the Heavenly Kingdom to the mortal world. In the Song Dynasty, Guangyi seizes the throne from his brother Kuangyin. The Jade Emperor metes out the edict that the Liaos should attack Song land under Guangyi's rule, while the Yang family should do their utmost to protect the Song regime from harm. Meanwhile in the Heavenly Kingdom, the seduction of the Peach Blossom Fairy by the God of Thunder is considered a sin, and they are banished to the world of mortals to suffer their fate. They become mortals connected to Marshal Yang. The God of Thunder is incarnated as Qilang, the seventh son of Marshal Yang. On a mission to send army provisions to the frontier, Qilang is hijacked by Du Jin'e (the Peach Blossom Fairy's incarnation) and forced into marriage with her. But he escapes to the capital. However, one day Qilang accidentally beats "Leopard" Pan to death and is about to be beheaded. Du Jin'e saves Qilang from execution in the nick of time, therefore he feels bound to to fulfil his marriage vows. Less than a month later, Qilang and his father are defeated in a battle. When Qilang goes to seek help, Leopard's father, determined to avenge his son's death, orders archers on the city wall to shoot him. Qilang remains standing after being shot with 107 arrows, but the 108th carries a spell that invokes a bolt from Heaven that kills him. Tearfully Du Jin'e goes in search of her husband's remains and can only bid Qilang a final farewell in her dream.
"Zhou Yu" is the story of Zhou Yu being thrice humiliated by Zhuge Liang (also known as Kongming) in the Three Kingdoms period. After being humiliated by Kongming twice, Zhou Yu flies into a rage. He plots to take over the city of Jingzhou by luring Kongming to open the city gate on the pretext of borrowing provisions for his army to strike against Xichuan. His wife Xiaoqiao warns him not to act rashly but the opinionated Zhou Yu ignores her advice. Kongming sees through Zhou Yu's plot and routs his army. Zhou Yu returns home and falls sick with rage. Kongming further humiliates him by writing to comfort him, inflicting such a blow to Zhou Yu that he spits blood and faints after reading the letter. He later writes to Sun Quan expressing his grief with the words, "O God, Heaven has created me. Why must Liang also exist?"
The two performances will start at 7.30pm. Details are as follows:
"Thunderbolt"
January 18 (Friday)
Theatre, Ko Shan Theatre
"Zhou Yu"
January 19 (Saturday)
Auditorium, Tai Po Civic Centre
"The Military Repertory in Cantonese Opera" by the Kam Yuk Tong Cantonese Opera Troupe is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets ranging from $100 to $260 are now available at URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by credit card telephone 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 programme enquiries, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/program_124.html. For ticketing enquiries, please call 2734 9009. For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For Internet bookings, please visit www.urbtix.hk.
There will be a pre-performance talk (conducted in Cantonese) for this programme. Admission is free with limited seats available on a first-come-first-served basis. Details are as follows:
Pre-performance Talk
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Speakers: Li Qiuyuan, Cheng Wing-mui
Date: January 16 (Wednesday)
Time: 7.30pm-8.30pm
Venue: Rehearsal Room (1), Ko Shan Theatre
Ends/Friday, December 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 12:30
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