Xiqu Centre enters new stage as theatre structure lifted to the top of building

The Xiqu Centre, the first major performing arts venue of the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD), has reached a significant milestone as it celebrated today the successful lifting of the main theatre structure to its final position at the top of the building. Coming some two years ahead of the opening in 2018, the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) is pleased with progress so far and will press ahead with the remaining construction and other preparatory works to ensure that the Xiqu Centre will be completed as scheduled.

Officiating at the ceremony today, Mrs Carrie Lam, Chairman of the WKCDA Board, was joined by Hon Ronald Arculli, Vice-chairman of the WKCDA Board; Dr Liza Wang, Chairman of The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong; Mr Bing Thom, Principal of Bing Thom Architects; Dr Ronald Lu, Chairman of Ronald Lu & Partners (Hong Kong) Ltd; Mr Duncan Pescod, Chief Executive Officer of WKCDA and Mr Louis Yu, Executive Director of Performing Arts of WKCDA.

“As the eastern portal of the West Kowloon Cultural District, the Xiqu Centre will serve as an interactive platform for our Xiqu sector and enhance cross-genre and cross-regional exchanges between local traditional Cantonese Opera and other Xiqu art forms.  The Xiqu Centre will be committed to preserving and developing the traditional culture of Chinese Operas, and will serve as a focal point in both the hardware and software for the sector in achieving this mission,” said Mrs Carrie Lam in her speech.

Situated at the junction of Canton Road and Austin Road West, the Xiqu Centre is specially designed with the main theatre located at the top of the building, allowing the space below to be utilized for learning, rehearsals, while also making room for a large atrium as open space for public enjoyment. The Xiqu Centre occupies 13,800 sq. m. In addition to the main theatre, it houses a Tea House Theatre. Ancillary facilities at the Centre include a seminar hall, rehearsal rooms and practice rooms for activities such as cultural exchanges, practices and seminars.

With the steel structure of the main theatre weighing around 2,400 tonnes, coupled with the complexity of the construction work, raising the theatre had to be conducted in phases. In late-February this year, the elevation of the main theatre’s steel roof structure to its final position at the top of the Xiqu Centre was completed successfully. With the base structure of the main theatre now also elevated and secured in early-May, the core structure of the Xiqu Centre has taken shape.

The construction work of the Xiqu Centre has progressed smoothly since the commencement of foundation works in late September 2013 and the superstructure works in December 2014.

Mr Louis Yu, Executive Director of Performing Arts of WKCDA, said, “WKCDA is fully aware that it has been entrusted with the important mission of passing on the legacy of Chinese Opera. Within this traditional art form, we have to consider as what form of Cantonese Opera we want our future generations to see. On our part at WKCDA, we have attached a lot of importance to train and groom systemically young talents to take forward the torch of Cantonese Opera from the older generation. The WKCDA is also committed to audience building initiatives in the area of Chinese Opera. Key to the future development of Chinese opera is the provision of a modern, state-of-the-art theatres and venue facilities. Our vision is simple and straight-forward:  we want to see Chinese Opera flourishing and growing for many generations to come.”

At the ceremony, new recruits to the Rising Stars of Cantonese Opera programme were presented with certificates by Mrs Carrie Lam, Dr Liza Wang and Mr Law Ka-ying, Artistic Curator of Rising Stars of Cantonese Opera. The 7 new rising stars, or young talents, namely Man Lai-ha, Wang Kit-ching, Wong Hai-wing, Song Hongbo, Chan Kei-ting, Zeng Suxin and Cannon Au will take part in the performance of Rising Stars of Cantonese Opera II in August this year, injecting new impetus to the Cantonese Opera genre.