Xiqu

The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong will bring about a complete revival of Cantonese Opera classics based on the librettos printed with ceramic types and videos of the 1966 performance that the Association staged more than half a century ago at the bamboo theatre at Kowloon City Sa Po Road to celebrate the birthday of the HKSAR. Based on popular folk legend, the Enlightenment of the Goddess of Mercy depicts the story of Princess Miu-sin, King Miu-zong’s daughter, attaining enlightenment and becoming Bodhisattva Guanyin. It will be followed by three traditional set pieces Grand Birthday Celebration at Mount Heung Fa, Blessing by the God of Fortune and Fairy Returns Her Son to the Mortal Father. Set pieces are perennial repertoires which have retained the earliest format of Cantonese Opera performance in lyrics, singing and performance routines. Grand Birthday Celebration at Mount Heung Fa is a traditional auspicious set piece with a large cast and amazing performance. It depicts the celebration of Guanyin’s birthday by the immortals and involves a number of ancient performance routines such as “fairy dance”, “dragon-subduing arhat pose”, “tiger-taming arhat pose” and “general-in-chief Wai To pose”. Apart from traditional stylized moves, there are also special fantasized parts like “peach-bursting” and “coins-scattering”. Another highlight is the rarely-seen acrobatic feat of “weaving” performed by over 30 martial actors in a variety of stylized fashions which is a great treat to the eyes. Gathering elite performers from Hong Kong including teachers and students from The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, together with guest performers from Guangdong and Macao, this performance boasts of an excellent cast from different generations, recreate and pass on the classics.