A Retrospective Look at Yau Sing-po’s Career in Cantonese Opera – "King Li Guang" 【Talk Broadcast Online】

Speaker: Law Ka-ying

In Cantonese

Speaker: Law Ka-ying

In Cantonese

King Li Guang

Librettist: Law Ka-ying

King Li Guang is an outstanding Cantonese Opera production inspired by Shakespeare’s King Lear, which was set in a time space no unlike that of the Warring States Period in China when the Zhou Dynasty was in a demise, and there were incessant fighting, killing, annexations and struggles for power.  King Lear’s life story is therefore the blueprint for this drama.  King Li Guang, premiered in 2002, is written by librettist Law Ka-ying.  The lead role King Li Guang was acted by the late virtuoso Yau Sing-po not only in the permiere, but also the re-runs of the play with high acclaims.  Law Ka-ying will take up the role of artistic director and the lead role, joining hands with acclaimed Cantonese opera stars to bring King Li Guang on stage as a tribute to Yau Sing-po. 

The story of King Li Guang is set against the Spring and Autumn Period in China, a time marked by rivalry among powerful states.  The aging King Li Guang passes on his throne to his eldest son Boqi.  His third and youngest son Jizhong remonstrates to no avail and is sent into exile.  He nevertheless guards his father under cover.  Boqi’s wife persuades her husband to go against his father’s wishes while colluding with second son Zhonghuai to usurp the throne.  The King and Boqi are both heading for a death trap.

One day, while the King is sleeping in his palace chamber, a fire breaks out, and Zhonghuai kills Boqi secretly in the chaos.  Jizhong manages to rescue his father in the nick of time.  In the wake of such turmoil, though exhausted physically and mentally, the King nonetheless finds comfort in making up with Jizhong.  Soon the pursuers catch up with them and Zhonghuai and Jizhong fight it out in battle.  Witnessing the death of his sons one by one, and the demise of his kingdom owing to his obstinacy, the King dies in devastation and endless regret.

Law Ka-ying as King Li Guang

Wang Zhiliang as Third Prince Jizhong

Li Qiuyuan as Second Prince Zhonghuai

Wong Chiu-kwan as Princess Xueji, the consort of the Crown Prince

Lau Yu-feng as Crown Prince Boqi

King Fa-lui as Second Princess Consort Lü

Ng Kwok-wa as You Feng

Kim Lun as Li Wen

Running Time: Approx. 3 hours and 30 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.

Information provided by the arts group.

The programme does not represent the views of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

Please refer to Chinese version.