Main
Description
[ticketing_button button_text="Tickets" href="https://www.tickets.westkowloon.hk/en/event/PXO010025641"]
To celebrate the Xiqu Centre’s 5th anniversary, the renowned Ming Chee Sing Chinese Opera presents an all-star performance of the popular production Romance of the Phoenix Tower.
A comic romance with an intricate plot full of twists and turns and mistaken identities, Romance of the Phoenix Tower features an eclectic score, exciting martial arts scenes and two chou (comic) characters. Adding to the intrigue, for this performance Ming Chee Sing’s acclaimed leading actors exchange roles – with wenwushen (male lead) Koi Ming-fai playing the part of Princess Hongluan and huadan (female lead) Ng May-ying playing General Yelu Junxiong. The celebratory production also includes performances by veteran actors Chan Hung-chu, Lui Hung-kwong, Chan Ka-ming, Lai Yiu-wai and Vong Seng-pan.
First performed in 1962 for the opening of the City Hall by Hong Kong legends Mak Bing-wing, Fung Wong Nui and Tam Lan-hing, Romance of the Phoenix Tower is an important production, well-loved by Hong Kong audiences.
Cast:
Koi Ming-fai as Princess Hongluan
Ng May-ying as Yelu Junxiong
Chan Hung-chun as Mrs Shang
Lai Yiu-wai as Ni Sian
Chan Ka-ming as Ni Xiutian
Lui Hung-kwong as Shang Jingzhong
Vong Seng-pan as Shang Cunxiao
This programme is co-presented by the Xiqu Centre and Ming Chee Sing Chinese Opera. Ming Chee Sing Chinese Opera also performs The Dainty Gallant on 4 February 2024.
Co-presented by
Synopsis
Jin General Yelu Junxiong is ordered to escort Princess Hongluan, his secret lover, back to the Song kingdom. Making their way by boat, they rescue Ni Xiutian, a young girl who has jumped into the river to escape a forced marriage. Soon after, the boat is looted by pirates. In the chaos, Hongluan is lost overboard and Xiutian is taken to the Song palace in her place. When Ni Xiutian’s father, Ni Sian, finds Hongluan on the riverbank and realises that she has lost her memory, he takes her home to replace his daughter in the marriage he had arranged.
Meanwhile, Yelu Junxiong leaves the official party to search for Hongluan. When he eventually discovers her and sees that she no longer recognises him, he makes a desperate attempt to revive her memory.