Veteran Cantonese opera star Yuen Siu-fai will collaborate with talented young actors in returning the stage to perform "Revisiting a Fine Selection of Cantonese Opera"(Part I) in March.

     Details of the performances are as follows:

March 17 (Friday), 7.30pm
Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall
Programme: "Revenge at Guang Chang Long"
Performers: Yuen Siu-fai, Szeto Chui-ying, Ng Lap-hei, Tong Yuen-ying, Kwok Chun-sing, Chan Chak-lui, Zhan Hao-feng, Chung Kui-man and Juliana Kwan
Synopsis: Zhao Huai’an belongs to the second generation of a once wealthy family. He brings what money is left from his declining clan to do business in Guangzhou, but ends up spending every dollar on a decadent life. He falls in love with the celebrated courtesan Liao Xiaoqiao. Learning of Huai’an's love affair invokes the greed of his uncle Zhao Guagi. Zhao teaches Huai’an to deceive Xiaoqiao to get hold of her savings. Xiaoqiao finally gives all that she owns to Huai’an but ends up with no love nor money. She cannot go back to her former life either. She hangs herself at the inn, which has been haunted ever since...

March 18 (Saturday), 7.30pm
Auditorium, Tuen Mun Town Hall
Programme: "Raccoon for a Prince" (Part I)
Performers: Yuen Siu-fai, Szeto Chui-ying, Ng Lap-hei, Tong Yuen-ying, Kwok Chun-sing, Chan Chak-lui, Leung Sum-yee, Cheung Kit-ha, Zhan Hao-feng, Siu Wing-yee and Chung Kui-man
Synopsis: Among the imperial harem of Emperor Zhenzong of Song, Queen Liu and her chamber servant Guo Huai are plotting to harm Consort Li, who is about to give birth. They take the new-born away and swap him for a skinned raccoon, framing Consort Li for giving birth to a monster. Li is then banished to the Cold Palace by Zhenzong. At the order of Queen Liu, chamber maid Kouzhu is to throw the new prince under Jinshui Bridge. Looking hesitant and suspicious, chamber servant Chen Lin interrogates her and discovers the truth. To protect the heir of their emperor, Kouzhu and Chen Lin had put the baby into a fruit box and sent him away from the palace to the kind Eighth Prince. Ten years later, Zhenzong falls ill and is about to die. Since he has no heir, he wants to name his "nephew" as crown prince. The Eighth Prince now brings Zhao Zhen to the palace, so that the father and son can secretly meet. Guo Huai suspects the identity of the new crown prince. Kouzhu is summoned by Queen Liu for interrogation. Facing life-threatening tortures, the loyal Kouzhu prefers being beaten to death to having her secret exposed.

     "Revisiting a Fine Selection of Cantonese Opera"(Part I) is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets priced from $100 to $240 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_156.html.

     A post-performance talk (in Cantonese) will be held at 2.30pm on March 25 (Saturday) at Ko Shan Theatre New Wing Function Room. Speakers will include Yuen Siu-fai and Barbara Tang. Admission is free with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ends/Friday, January 20, 2017
Issued at HKT 10:00

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