Xiqu Centre Original Production: Experimental Cantonese Opera “Wenguang Explores the Valley”
Main
Description
This adaptation combines traditional and new set pieces, digital backdrops and other modern theatre technology to illustrate the preservation and innovation of Cantonese opera in the modern era.
The Xiqu Centre’s second experimental Cantonese opera production premiered in 2019 in Beijing, and was awarded Best Play in the Contemporary Small Theatre (Xiqu category) at the 2019 Beijing New Arts and Culture Outstanding Theatre Showcase series, in which Keith Lai was also awarded Best Actor.
Yang Wenguang hails from a family of legendary warriors. But a dream about his renowned ancestor, and a failed attempt to rescue his father from enemy hands, cause him to doubt his ability to master the martial arts skills of his ancestors. When a manservant reveals that the key to honouring his family’s legacy lies not in study but within his heart, Wenguang finds the strength to fight on.
This original production retains the essence and vitality of traditional Cantonese opera in ways that are meaningful and inspiring for contemporary creation.
── Wang Kui, Head of Institute of Xiqu, Chinese National Academy of Arts
A powerful performance, and a well-deserved Best Actor win for Keith Lai.
── Pak Yiu-charn, Hong Kong theatre artist
Artistic and Production Team
Producer / Director: Naomi Chung*
Playwright / Director / Music Arranger: Keith Lai, Janet Wong
Cast: Keith Lai, Janet Wong, Ng Lap-hei, Shum Pak-chuen
Technical Director: Rae Wu*
Set Designer: Wong Yat-kwan
Lighting Designer: Leo Siu
Sound Designer: Anthony Yeung
Video Designer: Dan Fong
Assistant Producer: Peter Lee*
Production Manager: Christina Choi*, Katrina Chan*
Cast
Keith Lai as Yang Jiye / Yang Zongbao
Janet Wong as Yang Qiniang (Du Jiner)
Ng Lap-hei as Yang Wenguang
Shum Pak-chuen as Yang Hong / Wang Wen
Musicians
Ensemble Leader: Share Ka-lok
Percussion Ensemble Leader: Chan Ting-pong
*Staff of West Kowloon Cultural District
Produced by
the Xiqu Centre
The mission of the Xiqu Centre is to preserve, promote and develop the art of Chinese traditional theatre, to nurture the local form of Cantonese opera and to promote other forms of xiqu. To advance the legacies and traditions of Chinese traditional theatre we support artists to create new works and help nurture a new generation of local performers and musicians, including working with emerging local talent and offering guidance and performance opportunities to our resident Rising Stars Tea House Troupe. Through performances, creation, education, research and exchange, we aim to expand the audience base for Chinese opera and create a new platform for the contemporary development of the art form.
Additional info
Tabs
Editorial
Xiqu Centre Original Production: Experimental Cantonese Opera “Farewell My Concubine” (New Adaptation)
Main
Description
Blending traditional Cantonese opera techniques with contemporary stage and lighting design, this groundbreaking adaptation of a Peking opera classic reimagines the last moments of a hero caught between reality and illusion.
In the bleak cold of autumn, Xiang Yu, the self-proclaimed “Overlord of Western Chu”, realises he faces defeat. As the moon rises, and the sombre mood augurs his downfall, his heartbroken lover Concubine Yu bids farewell before taking her own life with his sword. As he sits, distraught, by the bank of the Wu River, Xiang Yu hears the voice of his dead lover and the spirits of slain soldiers urging him to fight to the end.
The Xiqu Centre’s first ever commissioned work, Farewell My Concubine (New Adaptation) premiered in 2016 and has received overwhelming reviews for performances in various cities in Asia. The production was recognised with a Best Experimental Xiqu award at the China (Beijing) Performing Arts Expo 2018, and an Honorary Credential award at the 2018 and 2019 Xiqu Opera Black Box Festival (Beijing).
A quality production that dazzles your eyes, touches your heart and captures your imagination.
── Wu Tong, Deputy Director of the Chinese Theatre Literature Association (Beijing, China)
A level of artistry rarely seen in Hong Kong. Excellent plot, acting and singing.
── Man Lai-fung, Hong Kong Cantonese opera performer
A feast for the senses. A mix of traditional and contemporary techniques reflecting the experimental nature of black box theatre
── Wu Tong, Vice President, Chinese Theatre Literature Association
Artistic and Production Team
Producer: Naomi Chung*
Playwright / Director / Music Arranger: Keith Lai, Janet Wong
Cast: Keith Lai, Janet Wong, Ng Lap-hei
Technical Director: Rae Wu*
Set Designer: Wong Yat-kwan
Lighting Designer: Leo Siu
Sound Designer: Wan San-hong
Costume Designer: Mandy Tam
Headgear Designer: Ken Tsang
Assistant Producer: Peter Lee*
Production Manager: Christina Choi*, Katrina Chan*
Cast
Keith Lai as Xiang Yu
Janet Wong as Yuji (Concubine Yu)
Ng Lap-hei as Groom / Soldier
Musicians
Ensemble Leader: Share Ka-lok
Percussion Ensemble Leader: Chan Ting-pong
Production Team of 2016 premiere
Lighting Designer: Allen Fung
Sound Designer: Yuen Cheuk-wa
Costume Designer: Mandy Tam
*Staff of West Kowloon Cultural District
Produced by
the Xiqu Centre
The mission of the Xiqu Centre is to preserve, promote and develop the art of Chinese traditional theatre, to nurture the local form of Cantonese opera and to promote other forms of xiqu. To advance the legacies and traditions of Chinese traditional theatre we support artists to create new works and help nurture a new generation of local performers and musicians, including working with emerging local talent and offering guidance and performance opportunities to our resident Rising Stars Tea House Troupe. Through performances, creation, education, research and exchange, we aim to expand the audience base for Chinese opera and create a new platform for the contemporary development of the art form.
Additional info
Tabs
Editorial
Talk: Creating Experimental Productions
Main
Description
In this talk, Naomi Chung, Keith Lai and Janet Wong – the creative team behind the Xiqu Centre’s original Cantonese opera productions Farewell My Concubine and Wenguang Explores the Valley – share their experience of creating pioneering contemporary productions. Offering insight into the creative process, they discuss the ways in which tradition and innovation can be balanced to attract new audiences and nurture unique new styles. They also share their thoughts on how black box productions can help nurture a new generation of xiqu artist and fans and provide new channels for exchange, experimentation and artistic development.
This event takes place at the Xiqu Centre and will also be live streamed on Microsoft Teams. If you would like to attend the talk in person at the Xiqu Centre, please register.
If you would like to join the talk via Microsoft Teams, please register on the online event page.
Speakers:
Naomi Chung (Producer/Director)
Keith Lai (Playwright/Director/Music Arranger/Performer)
Janet Wong (Playwright/Director/Music Arranger/ Performer)
Registration Deadline:
12 October 2021
11:59pm
Additional info
Tabs
Editorial
Creating Experimental Productions (Online)
Main
Description
In this talk, Naomi Chung, Keith Lai and Janet Wong – the creative team behind the Xiqu Centre’s original Cantonese opera productions Farewell My Concubine and Wenguang Explores the Valley – share their experience of creating pioneering contemporary productions. Offering insight into the creative process, they discuss the ways in which tradition and innovation can be balanced to attract new audiences and nurture unique new styles. They also share their thoughts on how black box productions can help nurture a new generation of xiqu artist and fans and provide new channels for exchange, experimentation and artistic development.
This event takes place at the Xiqu Centre and will also be live streamed on Microsoft Teams. If you would like to join the talk via Microsoft Teams, please register.
If you would like to attend the talk in person at the Xiqu Centre, please register on the live event page.
Speakers:
Naomi Chung (Producer/Director)
Keith Lai (Playwright/Director/Music Arranger/Performer)
Janet Wong (Playwright/Director/Music Arranger/ Performer)
Registration Deadline:
12 October 2021
11:59pm
Additional info
Tabs
Editorial
Online Content: 2020 Creative Sharing Sessions
Main
Description
Join us for a series of online screenings from the Experimental Chinese Opera Festival archives – a chance to revisit our Creative Sharing Sessions 2020, where young performers and creators and Hong Kong audiences explored the art of experimental Chinese opera.
Screenings are available at the times indicated only.
Organiser:
Additional info
Tabs
The Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe discuss their acclaimed production The Chairs – a Kunqu adaptation of Eugène Ionesco’s 1952 classic absurdist play Les Chaises – a minimalist production that incorporates traditional Kunqu techniques to offer a new perspective on the absurdity and loneliness of human existence.
Date: 16 October 2021 (Saturday)
Online viewing: 3:00pm HKT
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Language: In Cantonese, Mandarin and regional dialects, no subtitles.
Watch video Available at 3:00pm HKT on 16 Oct 2021 (Saturday)
Artists from the Jin Liansheng Gaojia Opera Troupe of Xiamen City introduce their production Sister A Da – a morality tale about a well-meaning but hapless protagonist – and discuss how traditional comic techniques can be merged with contemporary elements to tell stories that resonate with audiences today.
Date: 23 October 2021 (Saturday)
Online viewing: 3:00pm HKT
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Language: In Cantonese, Mandarin and regional dialects, no subtitles.
Watch video Available at 3:00pm HKT on 23 Oct 2021 (Saturday)
The Shanghai Yue Opera House discuss their immersive avant-garde production Destiny of Rebirth – a contemporary reimagining of a classic lyrical poem that merges modern aesthetics and traditional Yue opera techniques to explore past and present perspectives on female identity.
Date: 6 November 2021 (Saturday)
Online viewing: 3:00pm HKT
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Language: In Cantonese, Mandarin and regional dialects, no subtitles.
Watch video Available at 3:00pm HKT on 6 Nov 2021 (Saturday)
The young artists of Contemporary Legend Theatre, Taiwan share insight on creating cross-genre Peking opera productions for contemporary audiences and discuss their internationally acclaimed production Wu Song – The Tiger Warrior.
Date: 13 November 2021 (Saturday)
Online viewing: 3:00pm HKT
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Language: In Cantonese, Mandarin and regional dialects, no subtitles.
Watch video Available at 3:00pm HKT on 13 Nov 2021 (Saturday)
Editorial
Workshop: Move like a Warrior
Main
Description
In this fun workshop, actor Ng Lap-hei guides participants through some of the traditional stage gestures used by warrior characters in Cantonese opera productions. Ng, who performs as horse boy and soldier in the Xiqu Centre’s experimental Cantonese opera “Farewell My Concubine”, demonstrates a selection of martial arts techniques as well as gestures used to illustrate a character’s personality or psychological state. Participants also learn how gestures can be used to give a deeper sense of action and plot.
Tutor:
Ng Lap-hei
Additional info
Tabs
Editorial
Workshop: Cutting Paper Heroes
Main
Description
Paper cutting is a traditional craft that anyone can master. In this workshop, participants learn basic paper cutting and folding techniques and create miniature three dimensional paper figure inspired by the Xiqu Centre’s experimental Cantonese opera production Farewell My Concubine and the tale of the warlord Xiang Yu and his concubine Yu Ji.
The 90-minute workshop is led by paper cutting artist and pop-up book creator Lau Ming-hang and is suitable for participants aged 6 and above.
Tutor:
Lau Ming-hang
Additional info
Tabs
Editorial
Workshop: Mini Dough Warrior
Main
Description
The traditional craft of dough figure sculpting is fun to learn. Join our workshop and try your hand at traditional modelling techniques and create a 10cm-high miniature warrior inspired by the lead character of the Xiqu Centre’s experimental Cantonese opera production Wenguang Explores the Valley. Using coloured dough, and guided by veteran master craftsman Moses Law Chung-man, you will learn how to bring your figures to life by delicately shaping clothes, accessories, headwear and even facial expressions and gestures.
The 3-hour workshop includes modelling techniques requiring fine motor skills and is recommended for participants aged 12 and above only.
Additional info
Tabs
Editorial
Schedule and Tickets
Main
Telephone Booking: 2200 0022
Internet Booking: www.westkowloon.hk
Ticketing Enquiries: 2200 0022
Content
Tickets Purchase and Enquiries
(No booking fees at any of the listed sales channels)
Festival Overview
| Ticketed Stage Performances | |
| Xiqu Centre Original Production: Experimental Cantonese Opera Wenguang Explores the Valley | 7–12 October 2021 (Thursday–Tuesday) |
| Xiqu Centre Original Production: Experimental Cantonese Opera Farewell My Concubine (New Adaptation) | 19–21 October 2021 (Tuesday–Thursday) |
| Fringe Events | |
| Talk: Creating Experimental Productions (free admission) | 13 October 2021 (Wednesday) |
| Workshops (paid event) | 24, 30 October and 13 November 2021 (Saturday and Sunday) |
| Experimental Chinese Opera Festival 2020 Creative Sharing Sessions Playback (free event) | 16 October–13 November 2021 (Saturday) |
Editorial
- Log in to post comments
About
Main
Content
Bringing together emerging artists and inspiring new perspectives in Chinese opera artistry and stage technology
The Xiqu Centre’s annual Black Box Chinese Opera Festival highlights original productions offering new perspectives on the history, evolution and potential future of Chinese opera. Bringing together emerging artists from around the region, the event inspires and facilitates exchange between practitioners as part of the contemporary network of experimental Chinese opera festivals.
Alongside award-winning contemporary productions of rare and well-known regional genres, the festival also offers workshops and talks that give local audiences deeper insight into individual works and the history and traditions that have inspired them.
The festival is an important part of the Xiqu Centre’s mission to preserve tradition, foster creativity and extend the reach of a heritage art form. By showcasing breakthroughs in artistic and stage innovation, we hope to engage audiences with a glimpse of the diversity and vitality of Chinese opera.
Editorial
- Log in to post comments