Promising young Cantonese opera actors will collaborate with other local Cantonese opera performers in the re-run of two acclaimed works, "A Fan to Remember" and "The Cosmic Mirror", in December and January. The productions are directed by Liu Xun and produced by Yeung Chi-sum, and details are as follows:

"A Fan to Remember"
Cast: Ruan Dewen, Hong Wah, Chan Ka-ming, Liu Kwok-sum, Hung Hoi, Lui Hung-kwong, Wong Hai-wing, Kim Lun and Kim Ying
7.30pm, December 14 and 15 (Friday and Saturday)
Auditorium, Ko Shan Theatre New Wing
Tickets: $120, $240 and $320

     "A Fan to Remember" takes place at the end of the Ming dynasty when a titled scholar, Hou Chaozong, and a famous courtesan, Li Xiangjun, are very much in love. Hou writes a love poem on a fan as a gift for engagement. Ruan Dacheng wants Hou to join his faction. He offers Li dowry gifts but Li humiliatingly turns them down. Ruan then holds a grudge against Li. Ruan becomes a trusted courtier of the new emperor Prince of Fu and eradicates dissidents. Hou receives a secret letter from Shi Kefa and immediately takes leave of Li. With Yang Longyou as the go-between, Ruan coerces Li to marry his adherent. Li throws herself against a pillar and blood stains her fan. As a reminder of the tragedy, Yang adds a few strokes to turn the stains into a painting of peach blossoms.

"The Cosmic Mirror"
Cast: Song Hongbo, Zong Yun-sin, Hong Wah, Chan Ka-ming, Hung Hoi, Lin Xinling, Kim Lun and Kim Ying
2.30pm, January 13 (Sunday)
Auditorium, Yuen Long Theatre
Tickets: $120, $220 and $280
7.30pm, January 25 (Friday)
Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall
Tickets: $120, $160, $220 and $280

     The story begins when the country is suffering a three-year drought. The Dragon King, who administers rainfall, issues a mandate to Du Shuangcheng, an officer in the mortal world, to find a Cosmic Mirror at a precipice in order to end this disaster. Du and his wife Yuexi secretly discuss ways to get out of this. Du's elder sister Shuangyi even kills herself to make him realise his duty as a public servant. With tears in their eyes, the couple embark on the journey. When they get stranded in a snowstorm, Yuexi sacrifices her life for Du's survival by feeding him with her own blood. After Du has barely managed to escape to safety, he meets two beautiful temptresses. At the critical moment that he is about to give up his mission, Yuexi and Shuangyi's spirits suddenly appear, castigating him for such weakness of will. Du realises the importance of his mission and is now determined to break away from the temptresses.

     The above performances are under the "Revisiting a Fine Selection of Cantonese Opera" programme presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets 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_672.html.

Ends/Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Issued at HKT 11:01

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