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Zhao Qun Ying Cantonese Opera Troupe will stage three Cantonese operas in September as part of the "Chivalry and Valiance in Chinese Opera" Series. The works are "An Order to Annihilate Dragon Mountain", "Three Battles to Secure Peace for the Nation" and "Wife in the Morning, Sister-in-Law at Night", and the main cast members will include Liang Zhaoming, Wong Chiu-kwan, Wan Yuk-yu, Johnson Yuen, Liu Kwok-sum, Ko Lai and Jim Ho-fung.
In "An Order to Annihilate Dragon Mountain", Yao Qi, a founding courtier of the Eastern Han dynasty, is murdered by Guo Rong, the father-in-law of the emperor. His son Yao Gang is saved by his childhood wet nurse and changes his name to Bai Yaotian. After entering a martial arts contest leading to marriage, he marries Wang Lingxian, daughter of Wang Ying, whom he thinks is his family's enemy. When Yao Gang later reunites with his sister Su'er, he seizes the opportunity to take revenge against Guo by stealing his letter detailing collusion with enemies, and escapes to Dragon Mountain. Will Yao Gang take revenge for his family in the end?
"Three Battles to Secure Peace for the Nation" tells of Bai Xiangqiu, who is well versed in both polite letters and martial arts. However, he is stuck at the lower level of society and has little chance of moving up the social ladder. Bai is employed as a live-in servant at the Liu family, and the daughter of the Liu family, Ruxiang, is impressed with his distinguished looks. When she sees him sleeping in the garden, she takes pity on him and covers him with her silk robe, and her father expels her from the family as a result. She marries Xiangqiu afterwards. It so happens that the emperor is taking his army to invade the Tujues. In his dream, he is saved by a young warrior in a white robe, and he begins to search for Bai Xiangqiu. Bai meanwhile becomes a soldier under Song Ruhai's command. Song and his son trick Bai into believing that the emperor is after him for a less than benevolent reason, making Bai dare not come forward to be recognised.
"Wife in the Morning, Sister-in-Law at Night" is a story involving the brothers Zhang Boxian and Zhang Zhongkun. They are both soldiers under the command of Earl Xining. Li Ruyu is a secret admirer of Zhongkun, but Zhongkun is going to take leave and marry his cousin, He Suzhen. However, a sudden onslaught by the Tujues forces Zhongkun to return to camp before the marriage ceremony, and he is thought to have been killed in the battle. In fact, Zhongkun is injured and becomes blind, and the Abbot of Dajue Monastery saves him. Ruyu promises to cure Zhongkun's blindness with a precious medicine. Later, knowing that Suzhen is already married, Zhongkun promises Ruyu that if his eyes are cured, he will marry her. When Boxian and Suzhen pay respects at the monastery they run into Zhongkun there.
Details of the performances are as follows:
"An Order to Annihilate Dragon Mountain"
September 18 (Thursday), 7.30pm
Theatre, Ko Shan Theatre
"Three Battles to Secure Peace for the Nation"
September 21 (Sunday), 7.30pm
Auditorium, Tuen Mun Town Hall
"Wife in the Morning, Sister-in-Law at Night"
September 27 (Saturday), 7.30pm
Auditorium, Tai Po Civic Centre
The performances are presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and tickets priced from $100 to $260 are now available at URBTIX. 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_604.html. For ticketing enquiries, please call 3761 6661. For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. Internet bookings are available at www.urbtix.hk.
A post-performance talk, to be conducted in Cantonese, will be held at 7.30pm on September 22 (Monday) at AC2, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Liang Zhaoming and Wong Chiu-kwan will be the speakers. Admission is free and limited seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ends/Thursday, July 31, 2014
Issued at HKT 10:00
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