Since the 1930s, the structure of Cantonese opera troupes have been organized into a "Six-Pillars" system, comprising the roles of Man mou sang, Siu sang, Jing yan fa dan, Yee bong fa dan, Chou sang, and Mou sang. The roles in Cantonese opera can also be broadly categorized into four main types: Sang, Dan, Zing, and Chou.
“Cantopera Promotion - The Clown's Lament and Laughter” shall unfold the charm of the Chou sang role, with a carefully curated selection of scenes by the artistic director, Mr. Chan Hung-Chun, illuminating the essence of this unique character. Performed by young talents, these scenes invite the audience to step into the world of Cantonese opera, gently guiding newcomers through its intricate art, while igniting passion and deepening appreciation in the hearts of all.
Program Information
Location: Ko Shan Theatre New Wing Auditorium
Date: 22-23, 29-30 Nov 2025
Time: 2:30pm (Duration about 1.5 hours, inculding excerpts & guided interaction)
Aristic Director: Roger Chan
22-23 Nov:"Fifteen Strings of Copper Coins" - "Visiting the Rat'
"Fifteen Strings of Copper Coins" synopsis:
Butcher Yau Wu-lo borrows fifteen strings of copper coins to start a pig-selling business, but is betrayed and killed by Lau Ah-su, a rat-like villain. Yau’s stepdaughter, So Sue-kuen, mysteriously disappears in the night, and later, together with merchant Hung Yau-lan, is found with the fifteen coins on them, raising suspicion of theft and murder. Magistrate Fong Chung is assigned to oversee the execution. Hearing their cries of innocence, he investigates further, uncovering many inconsistencies. Fong Chung visits the suspected murderer Lau Ah-su at night, disguised as a fortune-teller, and successfully extracts a confession. The story unfolds as a suspenseful tale, with the two adversaries engaged in a battle of wits, the official’s cleverness against the criminal’s nervousness. The plot twists and turns, keeping the audience on edge.
29-30 Nov: "Wangkui and Guiying" - 'A Righteous Reproach to Wang Kui' AND " "Time to Go Home" - "Forced Divorce"
"Wangkui and Guiying" synopsis:
Wong Fui(Wangkui) has failed in the imperial exam, which he then wonders into Luoyang with his servant, Wong Chung. During which they stay at the Sea God temple to seek shelter from the blizzard. The courtesan Kwai-ying(Guiying) and her servant Siu Kuk also come by the temple because of their broken cart wheel. Kwai-ying and Wong Fui fall in love immediately, hence Kwai-ying brings the Wong’s back to her place. Kwai-ying helps with Wong Fui’s study, not minding him being poor, she even buys her freedom from the brothel with her own money so she can stay longer with Wong Fui. Time comes to the imperial exam again, Wong Fui bids farewell with Kwai-ying at the Sea God temple, which he vows never ditching Kwai-ying in front of the god before his departure.
Wong Fui scores top in the examination, which draws the attention of the prime minister, wanting Wong Fui to marry his daughter. For his own career future, he scraps his promise to Kwai-ying and agrees the marriage. Kwai-ying is devastated when she knows she is ditched. Infuriated, she mourns her situation at the Sea God temple and ends her own live afterwards. The judge, whom a deity, pities her story and agrees to bring her ghost to the capital to confront Wong Fui. They are then able to prove Wong Fui indeed ditches Kwai-ying, hence has broken his own vow, which allows the judge to claim Wong Fui’s promise-broken soul.
"Time to Go Home" synopsis
For centuries, the struggle between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law has been a tale woven with sorrow. Madam Manfong had originally planned to marry her niece, Ho-hing, to her son, but when her son, Man Ping-sang, fell in love with and married Chiu Pan-neung, Madam Manfong was reluctantly compelled to accept this union.Madam Manfong's nephew, Sam-long, in cahoots with Ho-hing, conspires with a doctor to falsely diagnose Chiu Pan-neung with tuberculosis. Seizing the opportunity while her son marches off to distant Ping-Liao, Madam Manfong forces him to agree to divorce his wife upon his return. Heartbroken, Man Ping-sang bids farewell to Chiu, but as soon as he departs, Madam Manfong pushes forward with the divorce, casting Chiu Pan-neung out of the household. Torn between love and duty, Chiu, in a final act of devotion, feigns her death to preserve the family’s honor and fulfill her filial obligations.
Tickets will be officially available for sale via URBTIX starting from 20 Oct 2025.
Ticket Price：$60
Half-price tickets available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and the minder, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (Limited tickets for full-time students and CSSA recipients available on a first-come-first-served basis).
Cantonese performance with Chinese and English surtitle
