20 January 2012
West Kowloon Bamboo Theatre Kicks-off Today
Traditional Rhythm in Sync with Contemporary Tempo at Arts Hub
A splendid blend of traditional performing art form and contemporary visual art installations produced a colourful teaser for Hong Kong's future arts hub with the launch of the West Kowloon Bamboo Theatre today.
West Kowloon Bamboo Theatre, organised by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority ("WKCDA"), officially kicks off the first of many arts and community activities that the Authority has planned to bring life to the site of the arts district in the years to come.
Six star-studded Cantonese opera performances, visual arts exhibition and a film marathon are going to be staged from today to January 24 in an 800-seat purpose-built bamboo theatre on the future site of the Xiqu Centre, at the junction of Canton Road and Austin Road.
A celebratory strike on a gong by the Board Chairman of WKCDA, Mr Stephen Lam, marked the official launch of WKCDA's debut showcase and the opening performances of Prime Minister of Six States and Contention for the Seal at 7pm tonight.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lam said, "The Government is taking major steps to strengthen our cultural software and spends over $2.8 billion per annum to enhance the capacity of local arts groups, nurture arts talent, promote arts education and widen the audience base. Together with the ambitious West Kowloon Cultural District project, we are set to broaden the vista of Hong Kong's arts and cultural landscape, and propel Hong Kong into a major cultural hub."
"We also accord priority to Cantonese opera. This traditional art form embraces many elements closely linked to our way of life. The Cantonese Opera Development Fund has been providing financial support for the preservation, promotion and development of this cultural heritage. The first cultural venue of the West Kolwoon Cultural District will be the Xiqu Centre. This will showcase Cantonese opera masterpieces," Mr Lam added.
Mr Michael Lynch, WKCDA's Chief Executive Officer, expressed his gratitude to the public for their enthusiastic support for the West Kowloon Bamboo Theatre.
"We are greatly encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response and we hope the Bamboo Theatre could become an important annual event in Hong Kong's cultural calendar," Mr Lynch said.
WKCDA has obtained a short term tenancy to use certain parts of the site and has been working on plans to bring a variety of performing and visual arts events, including open air concerts and exhibitions there. He hoped activities at the site could make people get used to visiting West Kowloon and enable WKCDA staff to gain valuable experience for future operation of the district.
From today to January 23, the bamboo theatre will feature six Cantonese opera performances by The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong. The lead cast includes renowned artists Lee Lung, Nam Fung, Lung Koon-tin, Wong Chiu-kwan, Ng Chin-fung, Wan Fai-yin, Law Kar-ying and Chan Wing-yi.
"Cantonese opera in bamboo theatre is a refined and popular art genre in Hong Kong. The West Kowloon Bamboo Theatre project revives performance in a grand bamboo theatre with traditional décor in a bustling downtown area and excites us all who are involved in this hereditary art form," Dr Liza Wang, Chairperson of the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong, said.
"We cherish this opportunity to work with the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority for bringing the art closer to the people," she added.
For those who have missed out on the tickets to the Cantonese opera, they could visit the theatre and enjoy two free-admission programmes: M+ Bamboo Theatre Exhibition and M+ Bamboo Cinema.
Outside the bamboo theatre, M+, the new Museum of Visual Culture in Hong Kong, provides an impressive line-up of visual art installations created by five Hong Kong artists, namely Gaylord Chan, Henry Chu & Samson Young, Chu Hing-wah and Michael Wolf. The exhibition will be open to the public on January 19, 21-24, from 10am to 2pm.
On January 24, the second day of the Chinese New Year, there will be an 8-hour marathon screening of five Cantonese opera-related local films at the bamboo theatre from 2pm to 10.30pm. Specially curated by film veteran Law Kar and visual artist Chow Chun-fai, M+ Bamboo Cinema will offer a truly unique cinema experience.
Details of the West Kowloon Bamboo Theatre are available at the homepage http://www.bambootheatre.wkcda.hk/.
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