Farewell My Concubine Re-Made for the Contemporary Stage

Description

Though traditionally a martial arts piece, the new adaptation takes elements from poetic, romantic works, and incorporates contemporary melodies and techniques into the classic banghuang vocal style. The production is creative, inspired and intimate. “[t]he last scene, in particular, is charged with humanity and contemporary ethos.” comments Wu Tong of the Chinese Theatre Literature Association in Beijing.

Farewell My Concubine was Xiqu Centre’s first ever commissioned work which premiered in 2017, and has since then received overwhelming reviews for performances in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and mainland China. The production was also recognised with the Best Experimental Xiqu Award at the China (Beijing) Performing Arts Expo 2018.

This production features Keith Lai, the protégé of Cantonese opera masters Man Chin-sui and Poon Sai-lun. In 2010, he was recognised with the Most Promising Actor Award in a young male opera role by the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong and RTHK Radio Five. In 2011, he was presented with the Award for Young Artist (Xiqu) by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council.

Please note that the show is performed in Cantonese with Chinese and English surtitles.