Memorial Talk Series Commemorating Wong Yuet-sang, Maestro of Cantonese Music Culture

20.11.2020 to 08.01.2021, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Commemorating our teacher and the bygone days in Memorial Talk Series Commemorating Wong Yuet-sang, Maestro of Cantonese Music Culture due to take place 8 January 2021 has been tentatively rescheduled. Details will be announced on www.westkowloon.hk in due course. Ticketing enquiries: (852) 2200 0022

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Workshops at the Xiqu Centre

Our hands-on workshops are inspired by different elements of Chinese traditional theatre and regional cultural heritage, and offer interactive experiences for children, families and art lovers of all ages and abilities

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The Roles of Perfect Wives, Heartless Men and Abandoned Women in Cantonese Opera

31.10.2020 to 28.11.2020, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

In this series of four talks, Dr Cheung Ping-kuen looks at three character types commonly found in Cantonese opera, exploring the social and cultural significance of these roles and some of the iconic tales they have inspired

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Giant Steps – Jazz Rhythms for Kids

14.11.2020 to 22.11.2020, The Room, Freespace

In this 90-minute workshop, young participants work with local musicians to learn about simple jazz rhythms and improvisation through rhythm clapping, movement games and dance, and join an impromptu finale performance with tap dancers and the band

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The Face Painting and Costumes of Cantonese Opera

17.11.2020, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

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

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Blending Peking Opera, Street Dance and Rock

15.11.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre and live-streaming

The young artists of Contemporary Legend Theatre, Taiwan share insight on creating cross-genre Peking opera productions for contemporary audiences and discuss their internationally acclaimed production Wu Song – The Tiger Warrior

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Wearable Xiqu-inspired Jewellery – Simple Sequin Brooch

15.11.2020, Atrium, Xiqu Centre

In this fun, free workshop, local artists Kong Hoi-kan and Ng Sze-yu show you how to make a simple xiqu-inspired brooch using colourful sequins and share insight into the symbolic role of garments and head pieces in xiqu performances

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Experimental Chinese Opera Festival 2020

10.10.2020 to 15.11.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre

Highlighting new perspectives on contemporary Chinese opera, this year’s festival includes performances of the experimental Cantonese opera productions Wenguang Explores the Valley and Farewell My Concubine (New Adaptation), as well as sharing sessions with four regional troupes

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Xiqu Paper Headdress Workshop

14.11.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre

Make your own life-size paper model and learn fun facts about xiqu headdresses in a fun, hands-on workshop

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Experimental Cantonese Opera "Farewell My Concubine" (New Adaptation) – Xiqu Centre

06.11.2020 to 13.11.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre

Blending traditional Cantonese opera techniques with contemporary stage and lighting design, this groundbreaking production reinterprets the legendary story of the downfall of Xiang Yu, the self-proclaimed “Overlord of Western Chu”

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Chinese Dance and Martial Arts Workshop

08.11.2020, Atrium, Xiqu Centre

In a 45-minute workshop, dancers Ho Ho-fei and Liu Wai-yee from the Hong Kong Dance Company lead young participants to explore the connections between Chinese dance and martial arts. The workshop is presented alongside the HKDC performance Convergence

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Cantonese Opera – A Thorn Hairpin

04.11.2020 to 05.11.2020, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

This riveting drama of unwavering love through separation and reunion will be performed by on-and-off-screen couple Law Kar-ying and Liza Wang, alongside a star-studded cast of veteran Cantonese opera artists. This version preserves the poignant, dramatic tension of the script and recalls the indelible original production from 2003

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Using Confucian Texts and Ancient Classics in Cantonese Opera

27.10.2020 to 03.11.2020

The talk Using the Records of the Grand Historian in a Cantonese Opera on 3 November (Tuesday) will now take place online and not in the Xiqu Centre. Details will be announced on www.westkowloon.hk soon

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A Woman’s Perspective, Past and Present

31.10.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre and live-streaming

The Shanghai Yue Opera House discuss their immersive avant-garde production Destiny of Rebirth – a contemporary reimagining of a classic lyrical poem that merges modern aesthetics and traditional Yue opera techniques to explore past and present perspectives on female identity

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Traditional Music Notation in Kunqu and Cantonese Opera

14.01.2020 to 28.10.2020, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre and live-streaming

Talk 2 Literati Manuscripts due to take place on 28 October (Wednesday) has been cancelled

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Experimental Cantonese Opera "Wenguang Explores the Valley" – Xiqu Centre

22.10.2020 to 27.10.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre

The Xiqu Centre’s second experimental Cantonese opera production, this adaptation of an ancient tale of the legendary Yang generals combines traditional and contemporary theatre practices, and presents Wenguang’s contemplation of his family legacy as a metaphor for the preservation and innovation of Cantonese opera in the modern era

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The Evolution of Jazz

08.09.2020 to 20.10.2020

In a series of four online talks, Henry and Roger Chung – The Chung Brothers – look at the origins and development of jazz in the US, some of the key styles and figures that have shaped its history, and the influence of jazz on music in Hong Kong

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Make Your Own Xiqu-inspired Pencil Case

18.10.2020, Atrium, Xiqu Centre

Join a hands-on workshop and make your own wooden pencil case inspired by the wooden storage trunks used by xiqu troupes and learn more about life backstage at a Cantonese opera performance

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Gaojia Opera’s Comic Tales of Human Lives

17.10.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre and live-streaming

Artists from the Jin Liansheng Gaojia Opera Troupe of Xiamen City introduce their production Sister A Da – a morality tale about a well-meaning but hapless protagonist – and discuss how traditional comic techniques can be merged with contemporary elements to tell stories that resonate with audiences today

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Paper Puppet Making Workshop: Lion Dance Head

17.10.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre

Join our hands-on handicraft workshop and create your own paper puppet lion dance head and learn more about this unique cultural tradition

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From Theatre of the Absurd to Kunqu

10.10.2020, Studio, Xiqu Centre and live-streaming

The Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe discuss their acclaimed production The Chairs – a Kunqu adaptation of Eugène Ionesco’s 1952 classic absurdist play Les Chaises – a minimalist production that incorporates traditional Kunqu techniques to offer a new perspective on the absurdity and loneliness of human existence

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Musical Theatre Appreciation Series

21.08.2020 to 30.09.2020

All talks of the Musical Theatre Appreciation Series due to take place on 21 August (Friday), 26 August and 30 September 2020 (Wednesday) will be held online instead from 12:30pm to 2:00pm on the same dates

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West Kowloon Young Fellows Scheme (Performing Arts) 2019: Awardee Sharing Session

19.09.2020

In this online session, Dorothy Ngan So-yan, 2019 awardee, talks about the practice and findings of her fellowship project “Research on Accessible Theatre in Hong Kong – Overcoming Visual Barriers”

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The Stage Movements of Cantonese Opera

02.09.2020, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

The Stage Movements of Cantonese Opera due to take place on 2 September 2020 (Wednesday) has been cancelled

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Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe: The Outburst of a Shrew

29.08.2020, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe Presents Three Classics due to take place 26-29 August has been rescheduled. Details will be announced on www.westkowloon.hk in due course. Ticketing enquiries: (852) 2200 0022

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Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe Presents Three Classics

26.08.2020 to 29.08.2020, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe Presents Three Classics due to take place 26-29 August has been rescheduled. Details will be announced on www.westkowloon.hk in due course. Ticketing enquiries: (852) 2200 0022

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Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe: The Story of the Jade Hairpin

28.08.2020, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe Presents Three Classics due to take place 26-29 August has been rescheduled. Details will be announced on www.westkowloon.hk in due course. Ticketing enquiries: (852) 2200 0022

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Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe: Ringing the Palace Bell

26.08.2020, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe Presents Three Classics due to take place 26-29 August has been rescheduled. Details will be announced on www.westkowloon.hk in due course. Ticketing enquiries: (852) 2200 0022

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Freespace Open House

18.07.2020 to 23.08.2020, Freespace

Freespace Open House programmes due to take place on 18-19 July, 25-26 July, 1-2 August, 8-9 August, 15-16 August and 22-23 August 2020 have been cancelled

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M+ / Design Trust Research Fellowship

The M+ / Design Trust Research Fellowship programme supports original research projects investigating issues relating to design and architecture in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and Asia through a transnational lens

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Lecture-recital: Everlasting Cantonese Music - East meets West in the 1930s and 1940s

26.07.2020, Tea House Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Lecture-recital: Everlasting Cantonese Music - East meets West in the 1930s and 1940s due to take place 26 July 2020 (Sunday) has been cancelled. Ticketing enquiries: (852) 2200 0022

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Park Tour and Workshop (July 2020)

18.07.2020 to 25.07.2020, Art Park

Park Tour and Workshop due to take place 18 and 25 July 2020 (Saturday) has been cancelled

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Princess Chang Ping 4K Charity Film Screening Premiere

04.07.2020, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Princess Chang Ping 4K Charity Film Screening Premiere is presented by JV Entertainment Productions Limited on 4 July 2020 at the Xiqu Centre Grand Theatre

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Dialogue | Cantonese Opera

30.06.2020, Seminar Hall, Xiqu Centre

Cantonese opera plays an important role in the lives of people in Hong Kong. This talk explores its transition from the use of Mandarin to the Cantonese vernacular, demonstrating vocal styles and techniques and offering a deeper understanding of the aesthetic features of the art form

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Freespace x HKRep: The Great Pretender – a musical

21.05.2020 to 24.05.2020, Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre

Freespace x HKRep: The Great Pretender – a musical due to take place 21–24 May 2020 (Thursday – Sunday) has been tentatively rescheduled to January 2021. Details will be announced on www.westkowloon.hk in due course. Ticketing enquiries: Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, (852) 3103 5900

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