Alex Lam

Chief Executive

Kenji Lin 

Program Manager 

Karen Ng

Assistant Manager

Martin Yip 

Project Officer (Administration)

Marze Chu 

Project Assistant  (Administration)

Sylvia Leung

Accountant

Barwo [八和會館*] has been the preeminent professional Cantonese opera guild since its inception more than a hundred thirty years ago, during the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing dynasty. Its Hong Kong branch, The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong, was formed in 1953. The non-profit philanthropic association not only carries out its mission of promoting the classical, traditional art of Cantonese opera to the general public, it also contributes to the propagation, preservation, and development of Cantonese opera, as well as the career paths and welfare of Cantonese opera practitioners.

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Thanks to the efforts of its practitioners, board members, and the Cantonese opera industry at large, we have been actively working to preserve and propagate the art of Cantonese opera. With its aim to train young talents, The Cantonese Opera Academy of Hong Kong regularly holds classes for adults and adolescents on performing, instrumental accompaniment, and percussion training. In partnership with the Vocational Training Council, the institution has unveiled a series of courses, designed for professional performers, to engage in the task of preserving the Cantonese opera heritage. These courses include The Joint Investiture (course of a classical work) and courses in martial arts and tumbling. In terms of the continuation and preservation of the art, we have been, since 2005, fighting for the Sunbeam Theatre&#39;s lease renewal, as well as raising funding for its renovation on numerous occasions. Towards the goal of preserving and archiving the history of the art pratitioners, we have initiated the &ldquo;Verbal Transmission History Series&rdquo; program, for the systematic documentation of data of Cantonese opera partitioners; the institution has also aided in editing documents pertaining to the history of Hong Kong, such as Hong Kong Xiqu Yearbook.

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The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong has evolved over the years to encompass a vibrant collection of performing groups and venues. Such as the Bamboo Theatre event co-organised with West Kowloon Cultural District Authority. Their series of highly acclaimed opera performances before and during the Chinese New Year in 2012 and 2013 ignited strong positive responses from the citizens of Hong Kong. Another signature project is the Yau Ma Tei Theatre Venue Partnership Scheme,which is a joint venture with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong that began on 18 July 2012, in which upcoming artists, guided by experienced art directors, have frequently staged Cantonese opera performances in the renovated historic Yau Ma Tei Theatre. It is the aim of the institution for Cantonese opera to become an integral part of the everyday life of the Hong Kong citizens, helping them to treasure a cultural heritage grown from the grass roots of Hong Kong. In September 2009, through China, Macau, and Hong Kong&rsquo;s joint submission to UNESCO, the art of Cantonese opera formally entered UNESCO&rsquo;s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, aiding in the conscientious protection of this esthetically unique cultural treasure.

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* 八和會館:&nbsp;八-baat, meaning eight; 和- wo, meaning harmony; 會-wui, meaning gathering; 館- gun, meaning venue

<a href="http://www.hkbarwo.com/" target="_blank">Barwo&#39;s website</a>&nbsp;(only available in Chinese)&nbsp;

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After numerous efforts, Cantonese opera has gained recognition from various sectors of society. It is acknowledged as a local art form worth preserving and inheriting, as well as a carrier of traditional Chinese culture and literature. In 2009, it was even included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. As a professional organization for Cantonese Opera practitioners, we are duty-bound to persevere and preserve the integrity of this culturally significant form of art.

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Since 2012, the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong (the Association) has been supported by the Cantonese Opera Development Fund and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, to become a venue partner of Yau Ma Tei Theatre, where the Cantonese Opera Young Talent Showcase was launched. Thus far, 170 young talents have participated in the program and staged more than 180 different plays. Each year, it continues to attract new blood, and this year is no exception. There are young male role actors like Chu Siu-yat, Chen Jingru, and Deng Haipeng, as well as returning actresses like Vivian Yuen who have participated in our emerging artist program before. In addition, there are rising stars like Lau Yu-feng, Ng Lap-hei, Ng Kwok-wa, Leung Fei-tung, Man Shuet-kau, and others. Furthermore, more experienced performers like Wan Chi-hung, Liang Zhen-wen, Wong Ho-yau, Luo Yan, Sum Yung, Chung, Helli Yemina, Lam Pui-ka, and Ng Sze-wing are also part of the lineup. Alongside stage managers, musicians, stagehands, costume and set designers, and administrative staff, a large number of new talents have emerged, injecting vitality into the Cantonese opera industry.

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In terms of infrastructure, the Yau Ma Tei Theatre is currently undergoing its second-phase construction. In the coming years, the newly built extension of the Ko Shan Theatre will serve as the base for the young talents of Cantonese opera. It is believed that when we return to the Yau Ma Tei Theatre for performances in two or three years, today&#39;s young talents will become the pillars of the performances in future.

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In addition to training young talents and Cantonese opera practitioners, we are putting more effort into expanding our audience this year. The plan includes over 100 programs, with 68 main stage performances, allowing young talents to learn while performing. There are also 12 family-friendly and promotional events, including 2 Cantonese opera guided tours and workshops on Cantonese opera appreciation. Additionally, there will be 14 special performances for primary and secondary school students. This year, for the first time, we are collaborating with the Curriculum Development Institute of the Education Bureau to promote Cantonese opera culture to teachers and principals, integrating it into their teaching practices. In addition to the performances at City University of Hong Kong and Chinese University of Hong Kong in previous years, we will also work with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to organize 3 promotional events for tertiary education, making a total of 102 programs. Once the pandemic subsides, our colleagues in the office are actively organizing outbound exchange activities for the program, aiming to provide emerging artists with more opportunities to broaden their horizons.

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In addition to training Cantonese opera practitioners, cultivating the audience for Cantonese opera is also a key focus for us. Whether it is enhancing the appreciation skills of existing audience members or introducing Cantonese opera to the younger generation, audience development plays a crucial role in the preservation of Cantonese opera. Over the past decade, we have organized various audience outreach activities, including specialized performances for tourists, guided lectures, community promotional events, family-friendly performances, and creative activities. These programs strive to provide seasoned audience and first-timers alike insights into various aspects of Cantonese Opera like libretti, literature, body movement and martial art. We hope that audience members would not only be enthralled by the performances but would also gain a better understanding of Cantonese Opera.

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Audience support is paramount to the future survival of Cantonese Opera, we sincerely hope that the public will back our vision of a bright future for Cantonese Opera and help us to turn it into a reality. As we enter the twelfth year of this program, we have faced challenges and obstacles, including the recent pandemic. However, we believe that with the support of the audience and the opportunities ahead, we can overcome these challenges and continue the legacy of Cantonese opera together.

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Loong Koon-tin 
Chairperson of The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong 
26 July 2023

Jackie So

Production Consultant 

Yvonne Cheung

Senior Project Officer (Production)

Yan Kwong

Project Officer (Production)

Ding Yi-yue Bak Yuen-ying Li Ting-fung Ko Man-him Rachel Au Chan Oi-lin

Stage Manager

Han Yan-ming

Martial arts choreographer

Corporate Core Limited KWOK FUNG MUSIC PRODUCTION COMPANY

Music

Kwong Hing Stage Scene Production Company New Kong Hing Stage Scene Production Company Limited

Set Production

Kam Yee Costumes Company Sun Kwan Ying Production Company

Costume

Hong Kong Cantonese Opera Luen Yue Tong Ltd.

Martial arts artist

Story of Yau Ma Tei Theatre

Built in 1930 and ceased operation in July 1998, Yau Ma Tei Theatre is the only surviving pre-war cinema building in the urban area of Hong Kong. The Red Brick Building adjacent to the Theatre was originally built in 1895 as an engineer&rsquo;s office of a major pumping station in Kowloon. It is the oldest surviving water pumping station building of the Water Supplies Department. Yau Ma Tei Theatre and the Red Brick Building were accorded Grade 2 and Grade 1 status respectively by the Antiquities Advisory Board. After revitalization, Yau Ma Tei Theatre provides a 300-seat auditorium, a stage with an orchestra pit, a dressing room, a sound and lighting control room, a foyer and a box office. Together with the function rooms in the Red Brick Building, it is suitable for holding Chinese opera performances and related activities.

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We have the honor to be the venue partner of Yau Ma Tei Theatre since 2012, and bring forth the Cantonese Opera Young Talent Showcase, with the main objective of nurturing new talents ranging from performers to backstage practitioners. With the support of eight Artistic Directors and participation of one hundred young talents, the Showcase stages more than one hundred performances and outreach activities each year. We hope to pass on the legacy to the young artists, and also attract new audience, encouraging them to appreciate the genuine beauty of the traditional Cantonese opera, which is the only art form of Hong Kong enlisted onto UNESCO&rsquo;s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

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Waterloo Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon

About Us

Venue

Ko Shan Theatre New Wing Auditorium

Ticket Price

HK$180/$250
HK$120/$170

Programme enquiries

(852) 2384 2939

Ticketing enquiries

(852) 3166 1100

Booking hotline

(852) 3166 1288

Ticket Website

http://www.urbtix.hk

Organizer