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With a production cost of RMB16 million, the musical production, "Jinsha", will be staged in Hong Kong next month (February).
Inspired by the mysterious Jinsha site which is regarded as the first major archaeological discovery in China this century, the musical will be at 8pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, February 14, 15 and 16 at the Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theatre.
On an ancient ground covered with fallen leaves, a young archaeologist finds a broken piece of gold foil engraved with sunbird motifs. He has a feeling of deja vu and as he walks around looking for more clues to revive any inkling of memory, his footsteps rouse the spirit that has been sleeping in the mysterious site for 3000 years. The spirit recognises the person in front of it as its master of the olden days. It also knows that only when the broken pieces of the sunbird-gold foil are joined together again will its master rekindle his love, recall his past and find himself again. So the spirit takes him on a journey that traces his past...
Most of the sets and props in the musical are modelled on the artefacts unearthed at the Jinsha site. The frequent change of scenes makes it a marvel to watch: from the ancient sacrificial site, with roaring drums and the full moon, to the ancient battlefield with gleaming weapons and battle horses amid ominous war cries, and to the ancient city of Hibiscus, with silhouettes against gauze windows and dragon boats on the river.
"Jinsha" is a wonderful blend of pop songs and symphonic music. Scenes, emotions and moods are delivered in tunes written by the renowned composer San Bao or presented with epic vistas.
Since its premiere in 2005, "Jinsha" has had more than 500 public performances on the Mainland, setting a record for Chinese musicals. Hong Kong will be the third destination for its Asian tour following the performances in Singapore and Macau.
Performed in Putonghua with Chinese and English subtitles, "Jinsha" is one of the cultural exchange events with Chengdu and presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
Tickets priced at $350, $240 and $120 are now available at URBTIX outlets, while senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients can have 50% off (limited quotas for students and CSSA recipients on a first-come, first-served basis). A 10% discount applies to Friends of LCSD performing venues. There will also be group booking concessions: 10% discount for a single purchase of four to nine tickets, 15% for 10 to 19 tickets and 20% for 20 tickets or more.
For enquiries about the programme and the associated event ﷿ "An Archaeological Marvel : Photo Exhibition of the Jinsha Site in Chengdu, China" - call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp. Ticketing enquiries and reservations can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone bookings on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:25
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