|
08
Thu
Nov
2019
20:15
|
10
Sun
Nov
2019
16:30 |
|
$300, $200, $100 |
|
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre |
BUY TICKET
Chinese Opera
The Imperial Emperor of Heaven Holding Court by The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong
The Imperial Emperor of Heaven Holding Court
The Imperial Emperor of Heaven is holding court. The immortals report signs of unrest in the mortal world. So the Emperor dispatches a heavenly host to descend from heaven to save the mortals. The plot of this drama exemplifies the Chinese people’s traditional view of the universe: Heaven above is mindful of the well-being of mortals; whenever there is disaster in the mortal world, heaven will send forces to their rescue. It is the usual practice of operatic troupes to perform The Imperial Emperor of Heaven Holding Court as a show opener for matinee shows. It is often staged alongside Eight Immortals Bestowing Longevity and A Fairy Returns Her Son to the Mortal Father.
Eight Immortals Bestowing Longevity
A set piece in the traditional repertory of Cantonese Opera, Eight Immortals Bestowing Longevity describes the Eight Immortals – Han Zhongli, Lu Dongbin, Zhang Guolao, Cao Guojiu, Tieguai Li, Han Xiangzi, Lan Caihe and He Xiangu – coming to the Queen Mother of Heaven’s birthday party and offering their well wishes.
Blessing by the God of Fortune
Also known as Promoting to High Officialdom, this is a set piece which can be found in the stock repertory of many regional theatrical genres of ancient provenance. It functions as a ritual performance for the gods. The wusheng (military male) actor in the martial role of the God of Fortune dons a mask (keeping it in place by biting a small piece of wood on the underside). He holds an official tablet in his hands, delivers flamboyant stylised movements, and ends with a scroll showing words of blessings.
A Fairy Returns Her Son to the Mortal Father
The destitute Dong Yong sells himself into bondage to give his father a proper burial. Moved by his filial piety, the Seventh Fairy secretly descends to the mortal world to marry him. When the Imperial Emperor of Heaven learns about this, he orders her to return to heaven, and husband and wife are separated. Dong Yong later earns the honour of Top Scholar, while the Seventh Fairy gives birth to a son in heaven. By His Majesty’s order, Dong would have a parade in his honour for three days. The Seventh Fairy pleads with the Emperor to let her descend to the mortal world with her six sisters to give Dong their son. Having accomplished this, she returns to heaven. A Fairy Returns Her Son to the Mortal Father begins with the episode in which she hands back her son. But the version performed on this occasion is taken from the long version of the ancient repertory. The story begins with Dong Yong making his formal appearance on stage and introducing himself. He describes how he became the top scholar and earned the honour of enjoying community respect through the three-day parade. This is followed by the Seventh Fairy descending from heaven to meet him and give him their son. The story is therefore more complete and the details even more touching than the common version. The six fairies would do a transformation stunt with the ‘flipping the court dress’ technique, which shows the exquisite choreography of set pieces as well as the fine design and tailoring of the traditional costumes.
Main Cast: Yat Dim-hung, Chin Yin, Wong Hai-wing, Wan Fai-yin, Man Chun-sing, Man Shuet-kau, Man Wah, Wong Chiu-kwan, Wang Kit-ching, Yau Sing-po, Yuen Chi-chung, Ruan Dewen, Johnson Yuen, Ng Lap-hei, Li Pui-yan Eliza, Song Hongbo, Lui Hung-kwong, Shem Pak-chuen, Ng Kwok-wa, Shum Tsui-hung, Sum Yung, Miu Dan-ching, Nam Fung, Chui Yuet-ming, Chan On-kiu Houston, Kwok Chun-hang, Chan Kei-ting, Kwok Kai-fai, Chan Wing-kwei, Chan Kim-fung, Chan Chak-lui, Chan Hung-chun, Ko Lai, Leung Sum-yee Angel, Leung Siu-ming, Leung Fei-tung, Cheung Wai-ping, Leung Shuk-ming, Cheung Siu-lun Roy, Huang Yongjie, Vong Seng-pan, Huang Weikun, Wong Yuk-wah, Wan Chi-hung, Wan Yuk-yu, Sun Kim-long, Tang Mi-ling, Liu Kwok-sum, Pui Jun-hin, Lai Yiu-wai, Kim Lun, Lung Koon-tin, Siu Wing-yee, Lo Lai-see, Chung Yat-ming, Tse Siu-ki, Tse Hue-ying, Chung Kui-man, Juliana Kwan, Law Ka-ying, Doris Kwan, Tam Wing-lun Alan, So Premium Jiny, etc.
The running time of the performance is approximately 70 minutes.
Programme will be performed in guanhua. Lyrics and dialogue with Chinese and English surtitles.
Information provided by the arts group
TICKETING
DATE VENUE PRICE 08.11.2019 (Fri) - 09.11.2019 (Sat)
20:15
20:15
10.11.2019 (Sun)
16:30
16:30
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
$300, $200, $100
DATE08.11.2019 (Fri) - 09.11.2019 (Sat)
20:15
20:15
10.11.2019 (Sun)
16:30
16:30
PRICE
$300, $200, $100