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The Sunny Cantonese Opera Troupe will stage two traditional Cantonese operas in March, namely "The Iron Bow as Matchmaker" and "Merciless Sword Under Merciful Heaven". The leading performers represent a new generation of young actors, including Hong Wah, Song Hong-bo, Johnson Yuen, Kim Ying, Kim Lun, Wong Hai-wing.
"The Iron Bow as Matchmaker" tells the story of Chen Xiuying, whose recently deceased father who bequeathed her an iron bow. Whoever is able to draw the bow would be his son-in-law, he said. The Brigade General's son, Shi Lun, is attracted by Xiuying's beauty and makes a pass at her. Kuang Zhong, a military officer, happens to walk by and comes to her rescue. Xiuying's mother offers to let her daughter marry him. Out of jealousy, Shi Lun frames Kuang and he is banished to Zhangzhou. In order to save Kuang, Xiuying goes to seek the help of Kuang's sworn brother, Wang Fugang. Meanwhile, Kuang has been released from the charge and is sent to investigate a revolt by the Brigade General, Shi Xulong, where he meets Xiuying again.
"Merciless Sword Under Merciful Heaven" centres on the Wei family, who are trapped by Lü Huailiang and in danger of being killed. However, the clan members escape persecution and Chonghui - son and heir to the head of the family - is rescued by a woman. Gui Yuchang takes Chonghui to a black bamboo grove, where she lives. She raises Chonghui and teaches him various martial arts skills. Yuchang hopes Chonghui will take revenge for his family, yet she hesitates to tell him about his full family background. A young girl, Lü Daoci, lives nearby in Red Plum Valley. Chonghui and Daoci grow up together and fall in love, but they are told that they have come from feuding families, and the lovers are devastated as they are torn between love and faithfulness to their kin.
Details of performance are as follows:
"The Iron Bow as Matchmaker"
March 6 (Thursday) 7.30pm
Theatre, Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre
"Merciless Sword Under Merciful Heaven"
March 23 (Sunday) 7.30pm
Auditorium, North District Town Hall
Tickets priced from $90 to $140 are now available at all URBTIX outlets, on 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 programme enquiries, please call 2268 7325; for ticketing enquiries, please call 2734 9009. For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. Internet bookings are available at www.urbtix.hk. For more information, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/program_457.html .
A Meet-the-Artist session conducted in Cantonese will be held at 7.30pm on March 26 (Wednesday) at AC2, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Speakers include Hong Wah, Song Hong-bo and Johnson Yuen. Admission is free. Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ends/Thursday, January 23, 2014
Issued at HKT 10:00
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