The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present an original Cantonese comic opera, "Kungfood", in June. It is the first complete performance after the work-in-progress preview in June 2021. This production integrates Western chamber opera with Chinese kung fu and culinary art, bringing a sense of freshness and presenting a new martial arts world to audiences.

     "Kungfood" is created by local composer Chan Hing-yan, together with scriptwriter and librettist Mak Su-yin. It tells the story of a catastrophe befalling a kung fu sect on Wu Lung Mountain. Master Shifu, the leader of the Black Dragon Sect, is killed by the usurper Sect Uncle, leaving behind the Master's wife and three male disciples with mediocre kung fu skills. The Secret Book of Kungfu is also lost. The injured Sect Uncle flees Wu Lung Mountain and studies the dark arts. Renaming himself "Divine Lord of the Coiled Dragon", he returns to Wu Long Mountain to claim leadership over the sect and transforms it into the "Coiled Dragon Cult". The Black Dragon Sect is thus on the cusp of being annihilated. The chef and his three female apprentices of the Black Dragon Diner, a noodle shop at the foot of Wu Long Mountain, also get caught up in this conflict, setting the stage for a fierce battle between good and evil.

     Directed by Japanese director Tomo Sugao and conducted by Singaporean conductor Joshua Tan, the chamber opera will be performed by a group of renowned local opera singers and musicians, including tenor David Quah, bass-baritone Apollo Wong, sopranos Candice Chung and Athene Mok, mezzo-soprano Samantha Chong and members of the Hong Kong New Music Ensemble.

     "Kungfood" will be staged at 8pm on June 2 and 3, and 3pm on June 4, at the Auditorium of Kwai Tsing Theatre, with Chinese and English subtitles. Tickets priced at $250, $350 and $450 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1533.html.

Ends/Monday, April 24, 2023
Issued at HKT 11:00

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