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

Arts and Cultural Management – A series of five talks

09.10.2018 to 11.12.2018

In this series of talks, local practitioners offer insight into the different areas of work involved in running cultural organisations and explore the qualifications and passion required for a career in the arts and culture field

Hong Kong International Black Box Festival

11.10.2018 to 03.11.2018

Co-presented with HKREP, the four-week festival showcases unconventional theatre forms that blur the lines between representations of fiction and reality. Each production invites the audience to become aware of our agency, allowing us to experience theatre in energising ways. Tickets available at URBTIX now

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

The Stage Movements of Cantonese Opera

23.10.2018, CityU SCOPE Admiralty Learning Centre

This talk looks at how acting, martial arts and dance are combined in Cantonese opera stage movement to create patterns of formulaic gesture that help define character and contribute to the unfolding of plot

Haunting Images: Live Cinema by Lim Giong

26.10.2018 to 27.10.2018, MOViE MOViE Cityplaza

Lim Giong performs in a live cinema event that rethinks the relationship between sound and image, featuring live scoring along with the projection of moving image

“Oedipus Schmoedipus” by post / HKRep (Australia/ Hong Kong)

26.10.2018 to 29.10.2018, HKRep Black Box

Engaging in multiple murders and suicides, the provocative Australian collective resurrect classic death scenes into an accessible, fun-filled spectacle with plenty of blood and gore. For each mammoth bloodbath, the artists enlist a cast of 25 volunteers to join the comic lament and slaughter. Don’t miss your chance to die

SHOWTIME! Launching West Kowloon’s Artistic Strategy for Performing Arts

27.10.2018, Asia Society Hong Kong Center

In this free talk, Alison M Friedman, West Kowloon’s Artistic Director, Performing Arts shares the vision and plans for the district’s upcoming performing arts venues, the Xiqu Centre, Freespace and the Art Park, and looks at some of the projects lined up for the future

“Five Easy Pieces” by Milo Rau / International Institute of Political Murder / CAMPO (Switzerland/ Germany/ Belgium)

31.10.2018 to 03.11.2018, Hong Kong Arts Centre Shouson Theatre

Using performers aged between 10 and 13, and the biography of Belgium’s most notorious child killer Marc Dutroux, this provocative performance probes the limits of what children know, feel, and do, blending realism, brutality and black humour to reflect on the (re)presentation of human feelings on stage

The Design of the Tea House Theatre

08.11.2018, CityU SCOPE Admiralty Learning Centre

In this talk, West Kowloon’s Head of Xiqu, Naomi Chung, offers insight into the positioning and operation of the Tea House Theatre, looking at how the venue offers visitors an intimate experience with the productions and how programmes are curated with first-time audiences in mind

Visitors Making Meaning – Constructivist Learning in Museums

10.11.2018, 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

Freespace Happening (11.11.2018)

11.11.2018, Art Park, West Kowloon

Whether you are into music, dance, crafts, books or pets, autumn is the perfect time of year to enjoy whatever you love outdoors. On stage, as part of Taiwan Arts Festival, we present Constant & Change and Shallow Levée with their blend of post-rock, emo and Taiwanese folk…

Park Tour and Workshop (November 2018)

11.11.2018, 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

Face Painting and Costumes of Cantonese Opera

13.11.2018, D2 Place ONE

This talk looks at the face painting and dressing processes used in contemporary Cantonese opera, and at the ways in which costumes contribute to the portrayal of different characters

The Music of Cantonese Opera

20.11.2018, H6 CONET

This talk explores the wide range of musical elements used in Cantonese opera, looking at the different vocal styles used for male and female roles, and the use of percussive instruments and rhythmic melodies to enhance mood and narrative

The Stories Behind the Xiqu Centre

24.11.2018, Asia Society Hong Kong Center

In this talk, West Kowloon’s Executive Director of Performing Arts Louis Yu offers insight into the design and venue positioning of the Xiqu Centre, looking at the venue’s unusual use of space and its relationship with local Cantonese opera communities

Stage Dedication and Open Days

30.12.2018 to 06.01.2019

Before the grand opening of the Xiqu Centre, join us for a range of free performances and events co-presented with the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong and featuring some of the city’s most talented Cantonese opera 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

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

Cantonese Opera and Tea by the Tea House Rising Stars Troupe

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 on sale from 26.11.2018

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 on sale from 26.11.2018

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 on sale from 26.11.2018

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 on sale from 26.11.2018

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 on sale from 26.11.2018

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 on sale from 26.11.2018

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 on sale from 26.11.2018

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 on sale from 26.11.2018

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 on sale from 26.11.2018

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 on sale from 26.11.2018

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 on sale from 26.11.2018

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 on sale from 26.11.2018

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 on sale from 26.11.2018

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 on sale from 26.11.2018

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 on sale from 26.11.2018

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

Tickets on sale from 26.11.2018

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

Tickets on sale from 26.11.2018

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 on sale from 26.11.2018

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 on sale from 26.11.2018