Creation for Freespace: Dramaturgy and Beyond

Through a range of public round-table discussions, small group practicum sessions and workshops, “Dramaturgy and Beyond” will delve into the discourse in and around the practice of dramaturgy and the tools that are useful to the creation of dance and theatre within the contemporary context

WE Dance (2018-19)

09.09.2018 to 10.03.2019, Art Park, West Kowloon

This September, WE Dance returns to the West Kowloon Art Park with Freespace Happening, to take you on a seven-month dance journey from September 2018 to March 2019

Chinese Culture – A series of four talks

21.10.2018 to 18.12.2018

What is the relationship between modern society and these time-honoured art forms? In this series of talks, speakers from specialist fields will take you on a journey of discovery that reveals the beauty and history behind specific arts for your appreciation

Noguchi for Danh Vo: Counterpoint

16.11.2018 to 22.04.2019, M+ Pavilion, West Kowloon

The exhibition presents art and design works by the celebrated modern sculptor Isamu Noguchi in dialogue with newly created work by Danh Vo, one of the most critically acclaimed conceptual artists active today

Pre-opening Gala Film Screenings

30.12.2018 to 06.01.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

To complement our Grand Theatre performances we present five Cantonese opera films produced between 1957 and 2011 and featuring some of the legends of the golden age of Cantonese opera film

Pre-opening Gala Guided Tours

30.12.2018 to 06.01.2019, Xiqu Centre

Explore our new facilities and discover fun facts about the rich art of xiqu on our 60-minute guided tours

Presentations by the Tea House Rising Stars Troupe

30.12.2018 to 06.01.2019, Tea House Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Our special narrated programme offers visitors an introduction to Cantonese opera through a selection of short excerpts demonstrating a range of vocal and music styles

Stage Dedication and Open Day Cantonese Opera performances

30.12.2018 to 06.01.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Featuring two specially selected set pieces and a series of excerpt performances, this auspicious programme is presented by the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong and features some of the city’s most talented performers

Exhibition: Constructing the Xiqu Centre

30.12.2018 to 31.03.2019, Atrium, Xiqu Centre

This exhibition of stunning photographs by photographer Ducky Tse documents the eight-year development process of the Xiqu Centre from initial design drafts to completed venue

Perfect Wives in Cantonese Operas

04.01.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Cantonese operas are often based on stories of love and married life. The wives in these tales may be meek and loving or powerful and cunning. This talk looks at some of the Xiqu Centre opening performances to explore what makes a “perfect wife” on the Cantonese opera stage

Cantonese Opera in the Hong Kong Religious Context

05.01.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Professor Chan Sau-yan, expert on the musical structure, performance practice, ethnographic and historical aspects of Cantonese opera, looks at the tradition of religious operas in Hong Kong, and the challenges of preserving an ancient art form in a market-oriented economy

Cantonese Opera and Cinema

06.01.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Between 1940 and 1970, a large number of stars from the Cantonese opera stage entered the film industry in Hong Kong. This talk looks at the impact of this phenomenon, and the importance of Cantonese opera films as historical records of performances from that era.

Park Tour and Workshop (January 2019)

13.01.2019, Art Park, West Kowloon

Join us for an introduction to the Art Park and discover the different tree species planted in the future park of the West Kowloon Cultural District

The Reincarnation of Red Plum

21.01.2019 to 30.01.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

For our Grand Opening, and the 60th anniversary of its premiere, we present legendary dramatist Tong Tik-sang’s The Reincarnation of Red Plum. Under the artistic direction of legendary veteran Pak Suet Sin, the production celebrates the living tradition of Cantonese opera, showcasing three generations of talented performers and offering a new perspective on an enduring classic

Xiqu Centre Guided Tours (Cantonese)

22.01.2019 to 31.03.2019, Xiqu Centre

Supplemented with multimedia elements, this 60-minute guided tour helps you explore the Xiqu Centre facilities and discover fascinating facts about our new venue, and the culture and stories behind the art of xiqu

Xiqu Centre Guided Tours (English)

22.01.2019 to 31.03.2019, Xiqu Centre

Supplemented with multimedia elements, this 60-minute guided tour helps you explore the Xiqu Centre facilities and discover fascinating facts about our new venue, and the culture and stories behind the art of xiqu

Standard Chartered Tea House Theatre Experience

Tea House Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Presented by our Tea House Rising Stars Troupe, this 90-minute narrated performance is specially designed to introduce new audiences to Chinese traditional theatre. To recreate the atmosphere of Hong Kong’s early 20th century tea houses, audiences are also served traditional tea and dim sum during the show

Tickets now on sale

Xiqu Centre Guided Tours (Mandarin)

24.01.2019 to 28.03.2019, Xiqu Centre

Supplemented with multimedia elements, this 60-minute guided tour helps you explore the Xiqu Centre facilities and discover fascinating facts about our new venue, and the culture and stories behind the art of xiqu

Xiqu Film Screenings (January)

26.01.2019 to 27.01.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Accompanying our Grand Opening performance The Reincarnation of Red Plum – an acclaimed production by Hong Kong’s legendary stars Yam Kim-fai and Pak Suet-sin – this screening series presents three comic Cantonese opera films showing the magical Yam-Pak chemistry on screen

Tickets now on sale

Visitors Making Meaning – Constructivist Learning in Museums

31.01.2019, Hotel Stage

In this session, the speaker introduces the idea of constructivist pedagogy and how it can be applied in museums to the creation of all kinds of interpretation materials

Life's Blessing to Shen and Meng

09.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

A Spring Festival staple, this entertaining comedy tells the story of a marital crisis involving a browbeaten scholar, a philandering father-in-law, false accusations and lies. But can there still be a happy ending?

Tickets now on sale

Xiqu Film Screenings (February)

09.02.2019 to 24.02.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Featuring seven Cantonese opera films produced in Hong Kong between 1948 and 1962, this screening series explores the complex relationship between on-stage and on-screen personas of some of the most renowned stage artists of the time. Also included is the award-winning contemporary documentary My Way, chronicling the struggle of two aspiring Cantonese opera actors

Tickets now on sale

Bound-foot Liu Jinding Battles at the Fort

10.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

After a heated duel, general Gao and Liu Jinding, the female chief of a mountain fortress, find themselves so drawn to each other that when Gao is captured by the enemy, Liu single-handedly comes to his rescue. An action-packed romantic drama offering a treat for martial arts fans

Tickets now on sale

The Curious Case of A Red Embroidered Shoe

16.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

In a tale of romantic intrigue and wrongdoing, a besotted court clerk murders his wife to elope with his lover. Although he carefully arranges the crime scene to make himself look innocent, there is one detail he overlooks...

Tickets now on sale

Goddess of the Ninth Heaven

17.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

This romantic legend tells the tale of Ai and Yang. Separated by a raging fire set by a jealous prince, the young lovers jump to their death in the flames. Reunited in the afterlife, their love is blessed for eternity

Tickets now on sale

The Knight Errant's Adventure in the Palace

18.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

A belligerant war hero demands the hand of a beautiful princess. Discovering that she is in love with another he threatens the pair with an deadly ultimatum. Will the lovers manage to outwit this powerful and dangerous man?

Tickets now on sale

The Sounds of Battle

19.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

This complex political love triangle tells the story of princess Cuibi, her lover general Xia, and their struggle with the powerful King of Qin, whose one goal is to make Cuibi his wife

Tickets now on sale

The Peregrinations of Confucius

20.02.2019 to 21.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Based on texts from the Analects, this new play recounts the exploits of Confucius, one of the most influential philosophers in Chinese history, who spent 14 years travelling to preach his wisdom to the warlords of ancient China

Tickets now on sale

Forty Years of Cherished Love

22.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Based on the life of poet Lu You, this heart-wrenching play tells the story of his tragic separation from his first wife, and their accidental meeting, many years later, after both of them have remarried...

Tickets now on sale

The Butterfly and the Red Pear Blossoms

23.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

A talented scholar and a courtesan fall in love after years of exchanging letters and poetry. Although fate conspires to keep them apart, the pair are finally united after a series of tantalising twists and turns...

Tickets now on sale

The Legend of the White Snake

26.02.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Blending martial arts and romance, this new adaptation of a classic tale depicts the love between Madame White Snake and Xu Xian and their tragic separation by the powerful monk Fahai

Tickets now on sale

Lady Spring Fragrance

28.02.2019 to 01.03.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Adapted from a Korean folk tale, this original new play is set in imperial China and recounts the forbidden love between a coutesan’s daughter and the son of a magistrate. Will their commitment prove stronger than the challenges that face them, or will fate tear them apart?

Tickets now on sale

Xiqu Film Screenings (March)

09.03.2019 to 24.03.2019, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Accompanying the China Theatre Association Plum Blossom Award Troupe performances, this screening series showcases the work of award-winning artists and the regional characteristics of different xiqu genres, and offers an exciting opportunity for audiences to catch some rare examples of fine xiqu cinema

Tickets now on sale

A Master Selection of Peking Opera Excerpts

14.03.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Featuring a stellar cast of top Peking opera artists, this master selection showcases the distinct style and characteristics of China’s national form of traditional theatre

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A Master Selection of Kunqu Excerpts

15.03.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Showcasing highlights from the oldest form of xiqu still performed today, this selection demonstrates the nuance, grace and regional characteristics of Kunqu acting and singing and the talents of the specialist performers

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A Master Selection of Mixed Xiqu Excerpts

16.03.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

This mixed excerpt performance offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience highlights from some of the less familiar regional xiqu variations, including a Gannan tea-picking opera from Jiangxi and an archaic Ouju piece from Zhejiang

Tickets now on sale

A Master Selection of Cantonese Opera Excerpts

17.03.2019, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

An unmissable feast of classic Cantonese opera excerpts presented by an award-winning cast of renowned performers from Guangdong

Tickets now on sale