A Night at the Opera
Backstage enthralled a full-house audience with a behind-the-scenes peek at a traditional Cantonese artform.
The Monkey King (Mr Tsai Chih-Wei) and the General (Mr Au Kim-Ying) in action.
For the very first time, Hong Kong-based Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop brought their marquee production Backstage to Singapore, led by the renowned Maestro Professor Yuen Siu-Fai. For one night only on 9 October 2018 at the University Cultural Centre Theatre, the audience which included NUS alumni got to experience what happens backstage at a Cantonese opera through modern storytelling. The production also included an interactive segment with the audience, and introduced a new way of appreciating Hong Kong’s traditional art with exquisite costumes, elegant body movements and spectacular martial arts routines, as well as through Nanyin, the Southern Chinese musical form.
The Old Man (Mr Wan Yuk-Yu) riding on a carriage (depicted by the two flags) driven by Ms Cheung Kit-Ha.
An excerpt from Cantonese opera “Scramble for Umbrella” (抢伞), presented by Maestro Prof Yuen Siu-Fai and Ms Chan Wing-Yee.
The General (Mr Au Kim-Ying) showing his fighting skills with (from left) dresser (Ms Siu Wing-Yee), the Monkey King (Mr Tsai Chih-Wei), and seasoned performing arts producer and Executive Director of Spring Glory Productions, Ms Barbara Tang (playing herself).
The General (Mr Au Kim-Ying) and Ms April Tong Yuen-Ying (2nd from right) teaching members of the audience how to mount a horse.
Actress (Ms Cheung Kit-Ha) (middle) showing her three-inch shoes to Ms Barbara Tang, with dresser (Ms Siu Wing-Yee) (left).
Veteran Cantonese opera performing artist Professor Yuen Siu-Fai playing the er-hu with (from left) Ms April Tong Yuen-Ying, Mr Gordon Lee Chun-Lok and Mr Sung Ngok.