Cantonese opera venues and new West Kowloon centre to coexist peacefully, official says, but union wary

Concerns persist about artistic director’s lack of work experience in genre

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Leisure and Cultural Services Department assistant director Elaine Yeung envisioned a peaceful coexistence between the forthcoming Xiqu Centre at West Kowloon and current Cantonese opera venues in the city. Photo: Franke Tsang

Published: 9:03am, 2 Jan 2018Updated: 11:33am, 2 Jan 2018

Government-run Cantonese opera facilities will complement the Xiqu Centre in West Kowloon but the genre’s flagship union is less upbeat despite its first meeting with the hub’s controversial American director.

Elaine Yeung Chi-lan, assistant director at the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, regarded the Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District as “peacefully coexisting” with established venues at Yau Ma Tei and Ko Shan. The centre is due to open this year.

“We’ve been in touch for the past two years on collaborating, such as staging some of our events at the Xiqu Centre, which is set to be the best venue in town for the genre,” Yeung said.

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“Xiqu is not yet in operation. But we do exchange information on future programming, especially major productions, to avoid clashing.”

The centre’s primacy in the scene will not be affected by a new annex at Yau Ma Tei Theatre, which debuted in 1930 and was turned into a Cantonese opera hub in 2012. The cinema has been the venue partner to train young stars for the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong, also known as Barwo.

“We are pleased with Barwo, which has nurtured more than 100 young performers over the past five years,” said Heidi Chu Ching-han, the department’s chief manager for venues.

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“We hope the additional facilities will improve the shortage of space in the existing theatre’s foyer and backstage area.”