• 11/25/2024

HKFP Lens: Behind the scenes at a pop-up travelling Cantonese Opera House

Hong Kong Free Press

cantonese opera

Hong Kong has seen performances of traditional Cantonese “operas for deities” across the territory in celebration of Tin Hau Festival, marking the birthday of the “Empress of Heaven.”

Lamma Island's pop-up Cantonese Opera House
Lamma Island’s pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 3, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

This year’s festival coincided with Labour Day on May 1. It is celebrated on the 23rd day of the third lunar month.

Lamma Island's pop-up Cantonese Opera House
Lamma Island’s pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 3, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

On Lamma Island, performance group Golden Dragon and Phoenix presented a traditional Cantonese opera in Yung She Wan for five consecutive nights.

Lamma Island's pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 4, 2024
Lamma Island’s pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 4, 2024. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.
Lamma Island's pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 4, 2024
Lamma Island’s pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 4, 2024. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.

Kicking off last Tuesday, the show featured Cantonese Opera titan Loong Koon-tin, who took part in 11 performances.

Lamma Island's pop-up Cantonese Opera House
Lamma Island’s pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 3, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

It took place at a makeshift bamboo theatre, erected by hand over several weeks in a playground.

Lamma Island's pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 4, 2024
Lamma Island’s pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 4, 2024. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.

Additional ferries were arranged for the audience to leave the island after the curtain fell each night.

Lamma Island's pop-up Cantonese Opera House
Lamma Island’s pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 3, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Still popular across Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong, Macau, and among Chinese communities abroad, the art form involves singing, martial arts, acrobatics, and acting with striking make-up and accompanying music.

Lamma Island's pop-up Cantonese Opera House
Lamma Island’s pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 3, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Lamma Island's pop-up Cantonese Opera House
Lamma Island’s pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 3, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Lamma Island's pop-up Cantonese Opera House
Lamma Island’s pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 3, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Lamma Island's pop-up Cantonese Opera House
Lamma Island’s pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 3, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Lamma Island's pop-up Cantonese Opera House
Lamma Island’s pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 3, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Lamma Island's pop-up Cantonese Opera House
Lamma Island’s pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 3, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Lamma Island's pop-up Cantonese Opera House
Lamma Island’s pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 3, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Lamma Island's pop-up Cantonese Opera House
Lamma Island’s pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 3, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Lamma Island's pop-up Cantonese Opera House
Lamma Island’s pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 3, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Lamma Island's pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 4, 2024
Lamma Island’s pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 4, 2024. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.
Lamma Island's pop-up Cantonese Opera House
Lamma Island’s pop-up Cantonese Opera House on May 3, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Words by Hans Tse.

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https://hongkongfp.com/2024/05/07/hkfp-lens-behind-the-scenes-at-a-pop-up-travelling-cantonese-opera-house/