Academy Chinese Opera: Gongs and Drums
Little Cowherd
Little Cowherd is a folk song and dance mini show popular in Hebei, presented as a duet between a male part and a female part. The story tells of a chance meeting between a boy out grazing his cattle and a young girl from a neighbouring village who happens to be passing by. The girl asks the boy for directions, but the playful cowherd deliberately stalls and diverts the topic. The two sing and dance in their dialogue, and express mutual love before parting.
Director: Tsai Chih-wei (s)
Cast: Leung Yuen-yi, Mak Hei-wa, Zhou Leer
Music & Percussion Director: Zhao Riwei (s)
Music Leader: Tsang Tsz-ho
Percussion Leader: Lai Hon-yin
Orchestra: Chan Pan-kit, Chau Ho-yeung, Cheng Man-ni, Lau Wing-laam, Lei Caiping, Lei Ziteng, Li Yan-nga, Lui Tin-yau, Mach Tuy Nghia (s), So Wing-sze, Tang Qimu, Tsoi Sheung-yin, Zhao Riwei (s)
“Broken Bridge” from the Legend of the White Snake
The White Snake (known as Bai Suzhen in the mortal world) and the Green Snake (Xiaoqing) flood Jinshan Temple in their battle against Monk Fahai, but they are defeated. Retreating to Broken Bridge at West Lake, the pregnant Suzhen suffers unbearable abdominal pain. Xu Xian manages to escape from Jinshan Temple and meets Suzhen. Xiaoqing hates Xu Xian for his betrayal and draws her sword to kill him. Xu Xian expresses deep regret for what he has done and begs for his life. Remembering their conjugal love, Suzhen intercedes for her husband. Xiaoqing relents and the trio reconciles.
Director: Liu Li(s)
Cast: Lam Cheuk-ki, Leung Wing-tung, Wong Hoi-tung, Zhou Leer
Music Director: Mach Tuy Nghia (s)
Percussion Director: Ching Weng Sung (s)
Music Leader: Lei Ziteng
Percussion Leader: Lei Caiping
Orchestra: Chan Fung-yan, Cheok Wai-hang, Chau Ho-yeung, Lai Hon-yin, Lam Sze-hang, Law Tsz-ching, Leung Wing-nga, Lui Tin-yau, Mach Tuy Nghia (s), Tang Qimu, Tsang Tsz-ho, Zhao Riwei (s), Zhu Xiaolin
"Sacrifice the Son to Rescue the Orphan” from Zhao's Orphan
The story takes place during the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BCE – 476/403 BCE). Zhao Shuo is the son-in-law of Duke Ling of the State of Jin. His father Zhao Dun is a loyal minister of the Jin court but falls victim to the devious machinations of his treacherous colleague Tu’an Gu, culminating with the destruction of the Zhao clan. Before committing suicide, Zhao Shuo tells his pregnant wife to name their child Zhao’s Orphan if she gives birth to a son, and entrust the welfare of his unborn child to Cheng Ying. Subsequently, Cheng Ying and his wife hide the orphan in a wooden box and spirit him away. On discovering that Zhao’s Orphan has been rescued, Tu’an Gu threatens to kill all babies under six months old in the state if the orphan is not surrendered. After discussion, Cheng Ying and his wife decide to sacrifice their own son to save the orphan.
Director: April Chow (s)
Cast: Ho Cheuk-ying, Mak Hei-wa, Wong On-ching, Yu Chung-wan
Music Director: Mach Tuy Nghia (s)
Percussion Director: Ching Weng Sung (s)
Music Leader: Tsang Tsz-ho
Percussion Leader: Lei Caiping
Orchestra: Chan Fung-yan, Cheok Wai-hang, Chau Ho-yeung, Lai Hon-yin, Lam Sze-hang, Law Tsz-ching, Lei Ziteng, Leung Wing-nga, Lui Tin-yau, Mach Tuy Nghia (s), Tang Qimu, Zhao Riwei (s), Zhu Xiaolin
“On Journey”, “Test of Love" from The Story of Burning Incense
Zhao Guiying, who is from a brothel, chances upon Wang Kui at the Temple of the Sea God. Her initial pity for him grows into love, and they marry. Guiying helps finance her husband’s journey to the capital to sit the imperial exam. Bidding each other farewell at the temple where they first met, the couple offer incense. Wang Kui swears an oath to remain true to Guiying even after he succeeds in his career. Should he fail her, he will be punished by the heavens. However, once Wang Kui achieves his goal, he forgets his vow to Guiying. Enticed by status and riches, he abandons her to marry the Prime Minister’s daughter and moves into his new wife’s household. Unable to seek redress in the world of the living, Guiying kills herself and brings her case in hell. The netherworld judge grants Guiying’s request to allow her to return to the human world to test Wang Kui. At the Imperial Scholar’s Office, Wang Kui’s betrayal is relentless despite the impassioned pleas of Guiying. Her unappeased ghost reappears, and the underworld judge demands Wang Kui’s life.
Directors: Ying Kam-sha (s), Hong Hai (s)
Cast: Cao Xiulin, Chan Tan-tung, Chow Ka-shuen Guo Shangkun, Liu Xing
Music & Percussion Director: Zhao Riwei (s)
Music Leader: Chau Ho-yeung
Percussion Leader: Tang Qimu
Orchestra: Chan Pan-kit, Cheng Man-ni, Lai Hon-yin, Lau Wing-laam, Lei Caiping, Lei Ziteng, Li Yan-nga, Lui Tin-yau, Mach Tuy Nghia (s), So Wing-sze, Tsang Tsz-ho, Tsoi Sheung-yin, Zhao Riwei (s)
(S) Academy Staff
Performed and accompanied by the students of the Performance Major and the Music Major of the Academy’s School of Chinese Opera. Production team comprises faculty members and students of the School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts.
Set Designer: Rachel Lam Hau-yi
Lighting Designer: Cheng Lai-chiu
Sound Designer: Nico Fong King-lok
Production Manager: Sugar Tong Tsz-ching
Photo by: Wing Hei Photography
