The Fragrance of Chrysanthemums and Orchids – A Close Encounter of Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera: Jingkun Theatre and Shandong Peking Opera Theatre

Tea House Theatre, Xiqu Centre , 02.08.2019 to 04.08.2019

Staged in the intimate setting of the Xiqu Centre Tea House Theatre, the three performances in this mixed and diverse programme offer audiences an up-close and unique experience of two of the most prominent xiqu genres – Peking opera, commonly represented by chrysanthemums, and Kunqu, represented by orchids.

Featuring well-known excerpts of martial arts and civil repertories from both genres side by side, each performance offers a new perspective on these established artforms. The performances highlight the technical skill and emotive rapport of three acclaimed artists – winners of the Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre Tang Yuen-ha and Cai Zhengren, and the renowned Kunqu laosheng (old male) Lu Yongchang – along with a cast encompassing three generations of actors, from acclaimed masters to emerging talents from the Shandong Peking Opera Theatre and the Jingkun Theatre.

Featured works include The Dragon Teases the Phoenix, as well as “Writing the Petition” from The Daughter of the Horse Trader, “The Marriage Proposal” from The Butterfly Dream and “Stealing the Poem” from The Story of the Jade Hairpin.

Programme details

Date Time Excerpts performance Cast

2 August 2019 (Friday)

 8:00pm

Kunqu: “Touring the West Lake” from The Legend of the White Snake

Tang Yuen-ha, Cai Zhengren, Lu Yongchang, Zhang Liang, Wu Shichao, Cheung Ching-man, Choy Yuk-chun, Chau Cheuk-yan

Peking opera: Excerpt from The Crossroads

Kunqu: “A Tearful Visit to the Prison Cell” from The Daughter of the Horse Trader

Kunqu: “Writing the Petition” from The Daughter of the Horse Trader

3 August 2019 (Saturday)

 Kunqu: “Stealing the Poem” from The Story of the Jade Hairpin

Tang Yuen-ha, Cai Zhengren, Lu Yongchang, Sun Weian, Zhang Hongjian, Cheung Ching-man, Choy Yuk-chun

Peking opera: “Road to Exile” from The Boar Forest

Kunqu: “The Emperor’s Tears on Seeing His Beloved’s Statue” from The Palace of Eternal Life

Kunqu: “The Marriage Proposal” from The Butterfly Dream

4 August 2019 (Sunday)

Kunqu: “Wandering in the Garden” from The Peony Pavilion

Tang Yuen-ha, Cai Zhengren, Lu Yongchang, Sun Weian, Zhang Liang, Cheung Ching-man, Chau Cheuk-yan

Peking opera: Excerpt from The Pulley

Peking opera: The Dragon Teases the Phoenix

Kunqu: Excerpt from “A Devastating Witnessing Experience” from Death of a Thousand Loyal Souls

Venue:
Tea House Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Language:
Regional languages with Chinese and English surtitles

Running time:
Approximately 2 hours including an intermission of 15 minutes

Audiences are strongly advised to arrive punctually. Latecomers will only be admitted at a suitable break.

Tickets:
$430, $330 (Please note that no refreshments will be served during this performance)

TICKETS

Online booking: www.urbtix.hk
Credit card telephone booking: (852) 2111 5999
Ticketing enquiries: (852) 3761 6661
Tickets are available at the Xiqu Centre Ticket Office.

For more information, please visit the Chinese Opera Festival website: www.cof.gov.hk

Programme information provided by the troupes.

The presenters reserve the right to change the programme and substitute artists.

The programme does not represent the views of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Xiqu Centre or the West Kowloon Cultural District.

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Other Chinese Opera Festival 2019 events