Cantonese opera to take centre stage at Hong Kong’s first WestK FunFest, at West Kowloon Cultural District – with performances, workshops and more

• Hong Kong’s inaugural WestK FunFest, at the West Kowloon Cultural District this March and April, will feature a range of Cantonese opera events
• These include workshops and watching a performance while drinking tea and eating dim sum – as part of a diverse programme of over 150 family-friendly goings-on

Cantonese opera is a divisive art form: people either love it or loathe it. But there’s no doubting its cultural role. In 2009 it was officially recognised by Unesco as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

With its elaborate costumes and heavy make-up, Cantonese opera is rich with skills and stories that have been handed down through generations. But as with many traditional arts, its appeal is fading.

Helping to keep the tradition alive is the West Kowloon Cultural District, which over two weekends from March 16 to 23 will host Cantonese opera family workshops at the Xiqu Centre.

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A Cantonese Opera Movement Workshop (March 16) will be hosted by opera actress Leung Fei-tung, who will talk participants through basic gestures such as hand and finger movements and give insights into the stylised use of props and costumes such as water sleeves and horse whips.

A Cantonese opera make-up family workshop will be held on March 17 and 23 at West Kowloon Cultural District. Photo: courtesy of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority

Leading the Cantonese Opera Makeup Workshops (March 17 and 23) are actress King Fa-lui and performer and make-up artist Leong Yee-lin.

The events are part of the first WestK FunFest, to be held from March 16 to April 7 at venues across the West Kowloon Cultural District and featuring artists from Hong Kong and overseas.

Ina Chan launches twin-track effort to widen Cantonese opera’s appeal

There’s a lot going on, with more than 150 art programmes ranging from participatory performances, interactive experiences and multimedia shows to hands-on workshops, mega art installations, play zones, storytelling and dance parties.

Paul Tam Siu-man, executive director of performing arts at the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, says the festival is part of a plan to present dynamic, creative and inspirational performing arts programmes. Family fun lies at its core.

“The FunFest is underpinned by three straightforward philosophies: family, participation and fun, which invite community members to engage in diverse art experiences to create and have fun together,” says Tam.

Polyglot Theatre will present

Highlights include immersive art installation Ephemeral from March 22, while Australia’s Polyglot Theatre will present Pram People, a performance with a message about the use of community space, from March 29 to April 1.

Patch Theatre, also from Down Under, will make its Asian premiere of the award-winning interactive production ZOOOM, at The Box, Freespace, on March 23 and 24.

Inspired by the 1955 classic children’s book Harold and the Purple Crayon, it has wowed crowds in the United States and Canada.

The giant outdoor art installation Ephemeral, created by Australian art group Atelier Sisu, will be on display at the Harbourside Lawn of West Kowloon Cultural District during the WestK FunFest. Photo: Atelier Sisu

Patch Theatre, a renowned Australian theatre group specialising in performances for children, will perform as part of WestK FunFest. Photo: courtesy of Patch Theatre

The Xiqu Centre will host two sessions of the Tea House Theatre Family Experience, where people can drink tea and down dim sum while watching Cantonese opera performed by the Tea House Rising Stars Troupe.

Other events include 10-minute dance parties by Australian artist Joseph O’Farrell.

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This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.

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