#JCNewArtsPower #OurTalentsOurPride

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1 JOCKEY CLUB New Arts Power 2018 presents the first Xiqu Series Backstage 2018 by Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop & ArenA 2018 Black Box edition by Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop Experience a combination of traditional and contemporary Xiqu from late October to early November #JCNewArtsPower #OurTalentsOurPride Caption: Backstage 2018 by Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop Caption: ArenA 2018 Black Box Edition by Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop (Hong Kong, 5 October, 2018) JOCKEY CLUB New Arts Power 2018 continues to bring a diverse range artforms to entice Hong Kong audiences. In addition to music, theatre, multimedia arts and contemporary dances, two Xiqu art groups will be performing this year. The Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop and Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop will stage their works in late October and early November respectively. Through modern theatre, which will not only increase interactions between the audience and the performers, but also to promote and ensure this traditional art form is passed onto future generations. Backstage 2018 by Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop Date and Time: 24 October 2018, 7:30pm 25 October 2018, 3:00pm Venue: New Wing Auditorium, Ko Shan Theatre Ticket Price: $200, $160 Tickets available on: Remarks: English performance with Chinese and English subtitles Through a young reporter s backstage access to a Cantonese opera troupe and her interactions with the troupe members, Backstage showcases the essence of Cantonese opera in an interactive and accessible way. Breaking through the traditional Cantonese opera setting, the performance is 1

2 conducted in the form of modern theatrical production with classic Cantonese opera scenes in between, compelling the audience to explore the rich heritage of traditional art in simple language while increasing their interest and enthusiasm for the art form. Led by veteran Cantonese opera performing artist Yuen Siu-fai and senior Cantonese opera producer Barbara TANG Kung-pik, Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop is dedicated to promote and educate the art of Cantonese opera. Arts inheritance is not only about nurturing artists, but also expanding audiences. In view of this, under a partnership with Director and Playwright Musette Tsang Mo-suet, the team specially included modern drama elements and a storyline that mirrors daily life to attract the attention of the younger generation. With the objective of spreading Cantonese opera to overseas audiences and raising its world status in the performing arts arena, Backstage is presented in English to allow a wider audience to enjoy and understand the beauty of this precious art form. Backstage has toured across Europe since 2014, performing in Edinburgh, the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy. In recent years, Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop is reintroducing their performances to Asia and promoting Cantonese opera in various international arts festivals. This year, they continue to introduce the art of Cantonese Opera in an interactive and accessible way to Hong Kong audience. ArenA 2018 Black Box edition by Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop Date and Time: 3, 4 November 2018, 7:30pm Venue: Theatre, Yau Ma Tei Theatre Ticket Price: $320, $250, $180 Tickets available on: ArenA is an original story about the tragedy of Emperor Lau Bong rooting out Hon Seon, soldier transcendent and god of war, who assisted Lau in creating a dynasty of prosperity. Tracing the last 24 hours of Hon s life, the story epitomises the phobia-haunted Chinese society, where one is ever fearing replacement by others and is determined to strive fiercely with whoever threatens one s position. Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop is dedicated in promoting Cantonese opera, apart from holding to their concept of minimalist stage aesthetics, they also pursue innovation in different aspects and showcase the best of Cantonese opera to the audience. With his extensive experience in dance videos and Xiqu, Producer Maurice Lai endeavours to enrich the Cantonese opera stage with his interdisciplinary modern theatre techniques, creating a fascinating atmosphere which does not only attract Cantonese opera lovers, but also the younger generation. Meeting the expectations and habits of contemporary theatre-goers, and to adapt the setting of a modern theatre, the team explore alternatives to deal with music and provide audience the best live sound experience. ArenA was co-written by key figures of Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop, Director Rex Ng and Co-playwright Cheung Kwan-hin in 2011, and brought to stage of Performing Art Market in Seoul (PAMS) in As a resemblance of the PAMS production, the team is restaging ArenA 2018 Black Box Edition to let Hong Kong audience to have a taste of the brilliant performance. Open rehearsals of Backstage 2018 by Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop and ArenA 2018 Black Box edition by Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop are now available for school registration. 2

3 Programme Date and Time Venue Target Backstage 2018 Open Rehearsal Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop 24 October :30 4:00 pm 25 October :30 am 1:00 pm New Wing Auditorium, Ko Shan Theatre Primary and secondary school ArenA 2018 Black Box edition Open Rehearsal and Sharing Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop 2 November :00 8:30 pm Theatre, Yau Ma Tei Theatre Primary (P.3 and above) and secondary school, and groups For updates about JOCKEY CLUB New Arts Power, please visit: Facebook: Instagram: High-resolution images can be downloaded here: Link: Password: talkofthetown Caption: Veteran Cantonese opera performing artist Yuen Siu-fai (left) and actors of Backstage 2018 Caption: Backstage 2018 arrangement with traditional Chinese Opera Caption: Hong Hoi, actor of ArenA staged at the Performing Arts Market in Seoul (PAMS) in Caption: Hong Hoi and Mo Hua-min, actors of ArenA staged at the Performing Arts Market in Seoul (PAMS) in END 3

4 About JOCKEY CLUB New Arts Power With a commitment to promoting Hong Kong arts overseas, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) has been actively presenting outstanding local artists in the global arts scene. The 12 groups of artists participating in JOCKEY CLUB New Arts Power have all been supported by the HKADC in presentations of their work overseas, where they have gained wide international acclaim. The much-anticipated JOCKEY CLUB New Arts Power 2018 showcases 12 groups of brilliant artists from September 2018 to January 2019, featuring some of the finest contemporary Hong Kong artists and celebrate of their contribution to the cultural scene of Hong Kong. Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, JOCKEY CLUB New Arts Power also includes the development of web pages and mobile applications that carry information on the participating artists, so that the general public can learn more about them and their work. To maximise the community impact of the programme, JOCKEY CLUB New Arts Power has worked with participating artists, non-governmental organisations and governmental organisations to co-organise workshops, customising activities for target participants. About Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop Led by veteran Cantonese opera performing artist Mr Yuen Siu-fai & seasoned performing arts producer Ms. Barbara Tang, Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop is committed to the education, promotion and research of the art of Cantonese opera. Over the years, the Workshop has organised and supported numerous critically acclaimed Cantonese opera programmes in Hong Kong, the mainland and overseas. To introduce the beauty of Cantonese opera, the modern theatre programme Backstage was created to premier in Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2014, touring in a number of European countries, namely, the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy. In 2017 it was staged at PAM Link presented by HKADC. About Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop Established in 1999 by a group of young people with an ardent interest in Cantonese opera, Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop has operated as a limited company since 2001 and registered as a charitable institution. The Workshop is dedicated to creating a platform for the encounter of the tradition and the contemporary. Through organising Cantonese opera performances of high standard, the Workshop innovated the traditional art form with modern stage production, nurturing successors to sustain Cantonese opera. To preserve and research on this cultural heritage, the Workshop is devoted in the collecting, editing and publishing of related materials, as well as encouraging excellent reviews. Staging its premiere in Kwai Tsing Theatre in 2011 and a re-run in Sha Tin Town Hall in 2015, the black-box theatre version of ArenA was adapted to stage at PAM Link 2017 presented by HKADC. About Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) Established in 1995, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) is a statutory body set up by the Government to support the broad development of the arts in Hong Kong. Its major roles include grant allocation, policy and planning, advocacy, promotion and development, and programme planning. The mission of HKADC is to plan, promote and support the broad development of the arts including literary arts, performing arts, visual arts as well as film and media arts in Hong Kong. Aiming to foster a thriving arts environment and enhancing the quality of life of the public, HKADC is also committed to facilitating community-wide participation in the arts and arts education, encouraging arts criticism, raising the standard of arts administration and strengthening the work on policy research. About The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. It is 4

5 Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer, one of the city s major employers and one of the world's top ten charity donors. Working with Government, non-governmental organisations and community partners, the Club is committed to improving the quality of life of Hong Kong people through its Charities Trust donations, and providing immediate relief to those most in need. The Trust also proactively seeks out the root causes of social issues and brings multiple and cross-sector parties together to tackle them, pioneering innovative approaches that transcend disciplines and skills. While the Trust continues to fund a wide range of projects, it is placing special emphasis on four areas of strategic focus, including Youth, the Elderly, Sports, and Arts, Culture & Heritage. Media Contacts: For more information, please contact Sinclair at (852) : Vivian Tsang vivian@sinclaircomms.com (852) Franky Mang franky@sinclaircomms.com (852)