Cantonese Opera Project "Princess Chang Ping" Pre-performance Demonstration Workshop, Performance and Post-performance Discussion

Renowned Cantonese Opera artistes Yuen Siu-fai and San Kim-long have been educators of Cantonese Opera for years, promoting Cantonese Opera in schools. The two artistes have designed a Cantonese Opera education programme centred round the Cantonese Opera classic, Princess Chang Ping. The programme aims to enhance the students' ability to appreciate Cantonese operas and to stimulate their interest in the art form. The programme includes pre-performance demonstration workshop, the performance and post-performance discussion. Programme Content Condensed version of the Cantonese Opera "Princess Chang Ping" Princess Chang Ping is an imperial court drama of historical significance. The story takes place during the transition of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Firm in upholding their beliefs and remaining loyal to the Ming regime until the end, Princess Chang Ping and her new husband Zhou Shixian choose death over their personal happiness and commit suicide by taking poison on their wedding night. Performed by a troupe of well-known artistes, the performance will include four acts - The Emperor Kills his Daughter, Reunion at the Temple, Presenting the Petition and Death of the Princess. The programme will allow students to perceive the theme of this classic and to understand the presentational skills of Cantonese Opera. Yuen Siu-fai and the main cast will conduct a post-performance discussion to give the participants an opportunity to share their thoughts on the performance. Main Cast/Roles Yuen Siu-fai: Emperor of Ming San Kim-long: Zhou Shixian Chan Ming-ying: Princess Chang Ping Leung Wai-hong: Zhou Zhong Lai Yiu-wai: Emperor of Qing Ng Siu-tin: Zhou Baolun Students attending the programme will be given educational materials, which include an introduction to Chinese Opera, the history of Cantonese Opera, script analysis, the Cantonese Opera ensemble and music, Cantonese Opera singing, structure of the tunes, Chinese Opera theatre and scenography. The information is expected to enable students to acquire a deeper understanding of, and interest in, the art of Cantonese Opera. Under the guidance of teachers, participants are encouraged to write reviews on the programme afterwards in school, expressing their opinions on the performance and discussing their written reviews with other students. Students who attend this programme will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance. Programme Details Condensed version of the Cantonese Opera Princess Chang Ping Date 22 - 23/4/2009 (Wed - Thur) 28/4/2009 (Tue) 29 - 30/4/2009 (Wed - Thur) Time 2:30pm Venue Auditorium, Tai Po Civic Centre Theatre, Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre Theatre, Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre Duration Around 2.5 hours (including post-performance discussion) No. of Participants 550/ performance 350 470/ performance Ticket Price $40 (Students, Teachers) (includes pre-performance demonstration workshop, performance and post-performance discussion) Language used in Performance Cantonese Pre-Performance Demonstration Workshop Using Princess Chang Ping as guideline, the workshop will include explanations and demonstration of the plot which allow participants to understand the art of Cantonese Opera, special features in the script and key points in the performance. The workshop will be lead by Yuen Siu-fai or Sun Kim-long and it will cover the following topics: Techniques of Cantonese Opera and the staging of Chinese opera in general: such as costumes, make-up and the different roles in this genre Script: Similarities and Differences between Tang Ti-sheng's Princess Chang Ping and the original script of Huang Yun-shan from the Qing dynasty Music: a brief introduction to Bangzi and Erhuang, cymbals and drums as well as xiaoqu (short tunes) in Cantonese operas Abstraction and symbolism on stage: the structure and concept of abstraction of time and space in Cantonese operas and how they are presented on stage Pre-Performance Demonstration Workshop Details Date Between January and March, 2009 (actual date and time will be arranged with participating schools in due course) Venue In school or at LCSD Performing Venues* Duration 1.5 hours No. of Participants 150 / school Ticket Price Students and teachers who purchase performance tickets can attend the workshop free of charge Language used for guided performance Cantonese * For purchase of 150 tickets or more, demonstration workshops will be conducted in school premises. For participants numbering less than 150 from a school, students and teachers are invited to attend workshops held at the performing venues outside schools. Application and General Enquiries: 2268 7263 (LCSD)