13 August 2013, Hong Kong
Second Xiqu Seminar to Spotlight the Unique Role of Xiqu in City Life
Tickets Available from 19 August
The second episode of West Kowloon Cultural District Xiqu Centre Seminar Series "Xiqu and City Life", which features a dialogue between leading playwright Luo Huaizhen and veteran theatre art critic Cheung Ping-kuen, will take place on the afternoon of 28 September 2013 (Saturday).
Every city with its own look and character inevitably influences the development of theatre productions. In the coming seminar "Xiqu and City Life" to be held on 28 September, Luo Huaizhen, vice-chairman of the China Theatre Association, and Cheung Ping-kuen, Head of Liberal Arts Studies of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, will share their experience in creating and promoting Xiqu (or Chinese traditional theatre) in modern cities, and explore the unique role of Xiqu in urban life.
"Arts and life are vitally interrelated. By the same token, we do not see the Xiqu Centre, which is scheduled for completion in 2016, merely a lifeless venue made of bricks and mortar. It will be a home that places the most stunning traditional Chinese performing arts in direct dialogue with people and city life, as well as an arena where the world's artists and performers would like to be," Mr Louis Yu, Performing Arts Executive Director of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) said.
"To achieve this goal, WKCDA and the Xiqu Centre design team have continuously consulted the stakeholders and sought the advice from arts organisations both locally and abroad in refining the facility design from January 2013 to present. We are well on our way of rolling forward the project and we have made good progress," he added.
Mr Yu further said the dialogues in the first seminar on 22 June between renowned maestros Pei Yanling and Yuen Siu-fai were witty and won rounds of applause from audience. The WKCDA will carry on the seminar series with objectives to widen Xiqu audience, raise artistic standards and facilitate professional exchange.
The aim of the seminar series is to set up a platform for experienced artists and experts from different Chinese theatrical performance genres of the region to engage in knowledgeable discourse and stimulate insightful discussions about the future development of Xiqu. Demonstrations and master classes will also be arranged for young talents. The efforts made towards cultural software will contribute to the planning of the Xiqu Centre at arts hub and synchronise the facility design. "WKCD Xiqu Centre Seminar Series" is organised by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority in collaboration with the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.
Xiqu Centre Seminar Series - Second Seminar 'Xiqu and City Life'
Date: 2013.9.28 (Saturday)
Time: 2:30pm (around 90 minutes)
Venue: Recital Hall, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
Guest speakers: Luo Huaizhen (Vice-Chairman of the China Theatre Association) and Cheung Ping-kuen (Head of Liberal Arts Studies of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts)
Language: Putonghua
Ticket price: $80 (Senior citizens, full-time students, people with disabilities and their accompanying minder, and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients can enjoy 50% discount). Tickets available from 19 August onwards from HK Ticketing (HK Ticketing's Box Offices, K11 Select & Tom Lee Music Stores)
Programme enquiries: 2200 0093
Internet booking: www.hkticketing.com
Ticket Purchase Hotline: 3128 8288
Notes to Editors
Luo Huaizhen
Hailed by the Ministry of Culture as China's leading Kunqu playwright, Luo Haizhen is the Vice-Chairman of the China Theatre Association. Since 1980s, he has focused on the modernisation of traditional repertoire and urbanisation of regional genres. His creations span over 10 Xiqu genres and his works have been widely translated and adapted.
Cheung Ping-kuen
Cheung Ping-kuen is currently the Head of Liberal Arts Studies of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), a veteran theatre art scholar and critic, as well as a member of the Cantonese Opera Advisory Committee of Home Affairs Bureau. He obtained his PhD from The Chinese University of Hong Kong and one of his research interests is Xiqu. Since he joined HKAPA, he has been assisting the development of its Xiqu Programme.