Yam Kim Fai and Pak Suet Sin Charitable Foundation Presents: Black Box Chinese Opera Festival 2023

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Adapted from Eugène Ionesco’s 1952 play Les Chaises, this experimental Kunqu production blends Chinese traditional theatre with Theatre of the Absurd, delivering both in a new guise.

Presented by the award-winning performers of the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe, The Chairs is an acclaimed minimalist production that asks us to reflect on the meaning of life, love, loneliness, and the world around us.

On a deserted island, an old man and an old woman set out chairs for a series of invisible guests. After greeting old friends, first loves, their children, and even the emperor, the arrival of a final, long-awaited guest forces them to realise that everything has been an illusion, and that their lives are part of an absurd dream.

This programme is produced and performed by the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe , and presented as part of the Black Box Chinese Opera Festival 2023 . The Black Box Chinese Opera Festival 2023 is presented by the Xiqu Centre, with the Yam Kim Fai and Pak Suet Sin Charitable Foundation as title sponsor. 

“The symbolic gestures of Chinese opera reflect the philosophy of Theatre of the Absurd in wonderfully unexpected ways.”
── Du Mingzhe, postgraduate student, Department of Theater Movie and Television, Nanjing University

“The actors display masterful voice skills and the performance feels lively and effortless.”
── Konstantin Raykin, Russian theatre artist

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This year’s Black Box Chinese Opera Festival offers Hong Kong audiences a rare opportunity to enjoy a a distinctive regional genre famed for its comic plots and characters.

The Gaojia opera production Sister A Da is a quintessential comedy of errors. Played by an all-chou (comic role) cast, it presents an affectionate portrayal of an archetypal kind-hearted busybody – an ordinary woman with an extraordinary sense of justice.

Featuring China Theatre Plum Blossom Award-winner Wu Jingjing – artistic director of Jin Liansheng – in the lead role, this abridged adaptation of one of the troupe’s acclaimed full-length productions celebrates the artistic traditions of Gaojia opera through a contemporary lens.

This programme is produced and performed by Jin Liansheng Gaojia Opera Troupe of Xiamen City, and presented as part of the Black Box Chinese Opera Festival 2023. The Black Box Chinese Opera Festival 2023 is presented by the Xiqu Centre, with the Yam Kim Fai and Pak Suet Sin Charitable Foundation as title sponsor.
 

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The Xiqu Centre’s third experimental Cantonese opera production The Imperial Decree looks at how individual lives are shaped by predetermination and freewill.

Emperor’s brother Wu, Concubine Wen and Prince Dunhua are summoned to hear the ageing Emperor’s imperial decree. Believing they are soon to learn who will inherit the throne, a state of intrigue and infighting ensues – with each of them revealing their true colours as they battle for the seat of power.

Produced and directed by Naomi Chung, written, directed and performed by Keith Lai, Janet Wong, and Ng Lap-hei – the award-winning creative team behind Experimental Cantonese Opera Farewell My Concubine (New Adaptation) and Wenguang Explores the Valley – The Imperial Decree combines traditional performance techniques with contemporary music and stage design.

The Imperial Decree marks the Xiqu Centre’s first cooperation with the Deaf community. Revised and adapted after the initial preview in 2022, the production features Deaf artist Jason Wong among the cast, and audio description and theatrical interpretation at the performance on 14 October. 

This programme is commissioned and produced by the Xiqu Centre, and presented as part of the Black Box Chinese Opera Festival 2023. The Black Box Chinese Opera Festival 2023 is presented by the Xiqu Centre, with the Yam Kim Fai and Pak Suet Sin Charitable Foundation as title sponsor.
 

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The Xiqu Centre’s second experimental Cantonese opera production 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.

This programme is commissioned and produced by the Xiqu Centre, and presented as part of the Black Box Chinese Opera Festival 2023. The Black Box Chinese Opera Festival 2023 is presented by the Xiqu Centre, with the Yam Kim Fai and Pak Suet Sin Charitable Foundation as title sponsor.

Awards

• “Best Play (Contemporary Small Theatre–Xiqu category)” by Beijing New Arts and Culture Outstanding Theatre Showcase Series 2019
• “Best Performer (Contemporary Small Theatre–Xiqu category)” (Keith Lai) by Beijing New Arts and Culture Outstanding Theatre Showcase Series 2019
• “Honorary Credential Award” by Xiqu Opera Black Box Festival (Beijing) 2019

“A powerful performance, and a well-deserved Best Actor win for Keith Lai.”

── Pak Yiu-charn, Hong Kong theatre artist

“A clever blend of tradition and technology…Needless to say the actors’ hard work in portraying the characters.”

── Ms Ng Mei-ying, Cantonese opera veteran

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Blending traditional Cantonese opera techniques with contemporary stage and lighting design, this ground-breaking adaptation reimagines the last moments of a hero caught between reality and illusion.

The Xiqu Centre’s first commissioned work has received rave reviews for performances in various cities in Asia.

This programme is commissioned and produced by the Xiqu Centre, and presented as part of the Black Box Chinese Opera Festival 2023. The Black Box Chinese Opera Festival 2023 is presented by the Xiqu Centre, with the Yam Kim Fai and Pak Suet Sin Charitable Foundation as title sponsor.

Awards:

• “The 40 Most Influential Experimental Theatre in Contemporary China” by the 40th Anniversary of Experimental Theatre in China
• “Honorary Credential Award” by Xiqu Opera Black Box Festival (Beijing) 2018, 2019
• “2017 Best Experimental Xiqu” by China (Beijing) Performing Arts Expo 2018

A level of artistry rarely seen in Hong Kong. Excellent plot, acting and singing.

── Man Lai-fung, Hong Kong Cantonese opera performer

 

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)

 

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Some of the most eye-catching elements of xiqu performances are the elaborate costumes and accessories. Inspired by traditional designs and craftsmanship, they are worn to reflect the social status and personalities of the characters on stage.

In this fun, hands-on workshop, jewellery maker Ng Sze-yu guides participants to create a wearable, xiqu-inspired brooch decorated with colourful resin stones. Ng also shares insight into the inspiration behind the brooch design, and how traditional designs and techniques are used to create symbolic accessories for xiqu productions.

This workshop is presented as part of the Black Box Chinese Opera Festival 2023. The Black Box Chinese Opera Festival 2023 is presented by the Xiqu Centre, with the Yam Kim Fai and Pak Suet Sin Charitable Foundation as title sponsor.

Tutor:
Ng Sze-yu

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Traditional Chinese flower buttons are decorative and practical. The designs and materials are also indicators of social status – a symbolic function often reflected in the design of traditional Chinese opera costumes.

In this fun, hands-on workshop, local artist Ho Sze-nga guides participants to create a personalised, xiqu-inspired flower button hair clip. Ho also shares insight into the inspiration behind traditional flower button designs, and how ancient techniques are used to create symbolic costumes and accessories for xiqu productions.

This workshop is presented as part of the Black Box Chinese Opera Festival 2023. The Black Box Chinese Opera Festival 2023 is presented by the Xiqu Centre, with the Yam Kim Fai and Pak Suet Sin Charitable Foundation as title sponsor.

Tutor:
Ho Sze-nga

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