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To further promote the development of Cantonese opera, the Ko Shan Theatre New Wing of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will commence operation in November. Applications to book its auditorium, exhibition gallery, rehearsal rooms, singing practice rooms and function room can be made from tomorrow (August 1).
Situated in Ko Shan Road Park and adjacent to the Ko Shan Theatre, the New Wing is a five-storey building with a 600-seat auditorium that is particularly suitable for medium-scale performances. The New Wing's design blends the park's greenery into the performing venue. The venue is equipped with facilities that cater specially for the needs of Cantonese opera troupes. The stage and most of the dressing rooms are conveniently located on the same floor, and the increased height of the doors for dressing rooms allows for access by performers wearing head ornaments. In addition, the high-ceiling rehearsal rooms will enable performers to practise throwing acts.
Starting tomorrow, bookings for stage performances of full-length Cantonese operas and opera excerpts in the auditorium will be available for the period from November to August 2015, while bookings for other performances will be available for the period from November to March 2015. The current Priority Venue Hiring Policy for Cantonese Opera Performances of Ko Shan Theatre will also be applicable to the auditorium of the New Wing. Booking applications for the exhibition gallery will initially be accepted for the period from November to March 2015, while bookings for rehearsal rooms, singing practice rooms and the function room will be accepted for the period from November to June 2015.
Details of the booking arrangements and application forms are now available at the Ko Shan Theatre Administration Office and are also downloadable from the following website: www.lcsd.gov.hk/kst. Enquiries can be made on 2330 5661 or 2334 2545.
A spokesman for the LCSD pointed out that the New Wing is specifically designed for the needs of Cantonese opera performances. The new auditorium will complement the existing 1 031-seat auditorium of the Ko Shan Theatre and further enhance the theatre facility as a performing venue for Cantonese opera performances. Its rehearsal and auxiliary facilities will also provide a place for Cantonese opera troupes to conduct related training, rehearsals and research.
Ends/Thursday, July 31, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:33
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