Curtain call for Cantonese opera stars at Hong Kong’s Sunbeam Theatre as lease set to expire
Sunbeam Theatre to close its doors next year after hosting fans for more than five decades, with church to take over site on King’s Road
Hong Kong’s only private Cantonese opera theatre has entertained fans for about 52 years, but the curtains are set close for the venue after two decades of efforts to stay afloat.
The premises in North Point housing the Sunbeam Theatre have been acquired by the Island Evangelical Community Church, which has told the Post it will strive to preserve the site’s historical features while turning it into a community space.
The theatre won the title of “Hong Kong’s Grand Palace for Cantonese Opera” in 1993 when Chung Sun Sing Opera Troupe, formed by master Lam Ka-sing in 1966, held 38 consecutive full-house shows in one season.
But the venue faced the threat of closing down in 2005, when the owner of the theatre at the premises on King’s Road planned to turn it into a shopping centre. The bid was later cancelled due to lobbying efforts.
The theatre once again risked closing in 2009, and three years later nearly shut down when site operator United Arts Entertainment decided not to renew the performing group’s contract.
Playwright Li Kui-ming saved the theatre at the last minute by offering more rent to the landlord, whom he contacted with the help of Leung Chun-ying, who was preparing for his later successful city leadership bid at the time.
