Opening Event: ArenA
- Date:Nov 11 (Thu)
- Time:6:45pm - 10:15pm
- Venue:Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District
- Language:Cantonese (Chinese and English Surtitles)
- Main Cast:Hong Hai, Susanna Cheng, Li Pui-yan, Fu Shu-wang, Kwok Kai-fai , Liang Xiaofei, Mo Hua-min
- Production:Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop
- Director/Co-playwright: Mr. Rex Ng
- Co-playwright:Mr. Cheung Kwan-hin
- ILP Units:3 Units (Aesthetic Development)
- Duration:Approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes including an intermission of 15 minutes
The event is already full. If you would like to put your name on the wait-list, please leave your information here. You will be notified by email / phone when quota is available.
Introduction
A renowned combat tactician in ancient China, Hon Seon, was praised as the “God of war”, with thousands of victories under his military strategies. Canto-opera ArenA traces Hon Seon in the last 24 hours of his life. Through the eyes of Hon Seon, we witness his views on life and destiny, war and death.
About Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop
Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop was established in 1999 by a group of young people with an ardent interest in the art of Cantonese opera. It has operated as a limited company since December 2001 and is registered as a charitable institution. The company focuses on the development of Cantonese opera in three major directions: stage production, education and promotion, and preservation and research. Their productions preserve traditional Cantonese opera culture while adding modern stage techniques. This also provides opportunities for new actors, nurturing participants both on stage and in the audience, and helping to promote Cantonese opera to the world. Off the stage, Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop collects, researches and collates Cantonese opera materials to protect this intangible cultural heritage.
Transportation Arrangement
Free Shuttle bus from Lingnan University campus to Xiqu Centre (one-way only) will be provided for Lingnan staff and students on a first-come-first-served basis. You will be invited to register this service upon your successful programme registration.
Cantonese Opera Workshop - ArenA
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- Date:Nov 8 (Mon)
- Time:5:30pm - 7:00pm
- Venue:MBG22, Ben C. M. Wong Lecture Theatre, Patrick Lee Wan Keung Academic Building, Lingnan University
- Speaker:Mr. Maurice Lai (Producer of Cantonese Opera, ArenA)
Introduction
In the Cantonese Opera workshop, Maurice Lai, the producer of ArenA, will briefly introduce the history and development of Cantonese Opera in Hong Kong. ArenA is an original modern piece of work while preserving the quintessential traditions of Cantonese Opera. Mr. Lai will share about the balance and struggles between tradition and innovation during the company’s production.
About Mr. Maurice Lai
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Lai has moved between video, dance, and Cantonese opera. He graduated from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with a Diploma in TV and Film in 1996, and received a Master of Arts in Film Production in 2019. He received Hong Kong Dance Awards from the Hong Kong Dance Alliance in 2015 and 2018, and was named City Contemporary Dance Laureate by the City Contemporary Dance Company in 2017. Lai is also dedicated to Cantonese opera and in 1996 he completed the Certificate Programme offered by The Cantonese Opera Academy of Hong Kong. Since then, he has actively contributed to the promotion of Cantonese opera in Hong Kong youth education, giving Cantonese opera workshops in primary and secondary schools and consulting for the “Regenerative Institutional Change in the Hong Kong Cantonese Opera Sector” research programme at Hong Kong University. Lai is currently the vice-chairman of Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop, chairman of Unlock Dancing Plaza, a member of the Programme and Development Committee in the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and a jury member for the Hong Kong Dance Awards.