Our Talents, Our Pride

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Alexandrina Merritt
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2 Our Talents, Our Pride Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) cherishes the unique beauty of local arts and is devoted to the cultivation of creative talents. In recent years, HKADC has taken an active role in introducing outstanding local artists to the global art scene. With their diversified media and styles, the artists works shone at overseas arts festivals, receiving much acclaims. With the support of HKADC over the past few years, Hong Kong artists have showcased their works in the Performing Arts Market in Seoul (PAMS), Gwangju Biennale in Korea, internationale tanzmesse nrw in Düsseldorf, Germany, OzAsia Festival in Adelaide, Australia, Shenzhen Contemporary Theatre Biennale in China, Kuandu Arts Festival in Taipei and Hong Kong Music Series in London, United Kingdom. These international events allow overseas audience, practitioners as well as the general public to enjoy the finest works of art that are proudly created locally in Hong Kong. Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, these works that have illustrated the beauty of the Hong Kong art scene are returning to their birthplace, where they will be presented to the local audience at the second JOCKEY CLUB New Arts Power. The upcoming arts festival consists of 10 programmes, including music, theatre, xiqu, multimedia arts and contemporary dance. The artists, born and raised in Hong Kong, see their works as a means to communicate and correspond with their hometown, to sketch the rarely noticed everyday life its people, to exchange love letters originated from this city, and to explore honestly the secrets of life. Apart from the original shows, the art groups in collaboration with the social welfare, academic and commercial sectors, will also put together over 150 community and school programmes, spreading the joy of art to people from different communities, and allowing art and life to enrich one another.

3 Table of Content Producer Barbara Tang on Backstage... 2 About Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop... 3 About Backstage... 4 Elements of Cantonese Opera in Backstage... 5

Producer Barbara Tang on Backstage Barbara Tang Veteran Cantonese opera producer, Director of Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop and Producer of Backstage.

4 Producer Barbara Tang on Backstage Barbara Tang Veteran Cantonese opera producer, Director of Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop and Producer of Backstage. Backstage tells the life behind the curtain of a Cantonese opera troupe. Employing modern theatre s approach, the play introduces Cantonese Opera its basic elements and spirit to audience who are new to this particular form of intangible cultural heritage. Backstage s producer Barbara Tang told us stories about herself and the production. How did you come up with the idea of Backstage? It has always been my wish to participate in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. With limited budget, however, we are unable to perform a full play. For the past 7 years, I was invited by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department to host workshops on makeup and costumes of Cantonese opera, during which I explained such details as meanings signified by makeup colours and costume design. Held in Cantonese and English, these talks always attracted some expatriate audience. They showed great interest and asked a lot of questions about Cantonese opera. The popularity of these workshops among foreigners inspired me to compose a show about Cantonese opera and perform on an international stage. After discussing it with Yuen Siu-Fai, I decided to work together with Musette Tsang who is a theatre director, playwright and actress. Together we wrote the first draft and continued to revise it after each run. Gradually the show has developed to its current form. Why do you decide to show the front and back stages of Cantonese opera to the audience? We showcase the whole preparation and rehearsal process on the stage to allow audience to understand every aspect of a troupe. First of all, regarding the costume, what do the 4 flags behind the back of a male role mean? How does a Faa Daan (the female lead of Cantonese opera) wear toupee? How does an actress bind her feet for the Three-Inch Golden Lilies? The audience will witness how actors go through every step of preparation, including makeup and costumes. These backstage scenes are accompanied by the rehearsal of other actions: fighting, somersaulting and feeding chickens. Only on a theatre setting can these movements perform at the same time. In about 50 minutes, every fundamental of Cantonese opera, including clothes changing and somersaulting practice, is being demonstrated with the form of a fringe theatre. All these dazzling details present a big feast for the eyes as well as a work with originality and educational purpose. The play has been performed by Spring Glory across European and Asian regions since Do you have any memorable experience during the tour? Our performance debuted at Edinburgh Festival Fringe It was a 14-session tour that offered great training for our troupe. Having more than three thousand programmes, the Festival was tightly scheduled. We could only enter the arena 15 minutes in advance of our JOCKEY CLUB New Arts Power Show Title Page 2

turn. Upon finishing we had to clear the stadium in 10 minutes for the next performing unit. We had to remind and cover for each other. Eventually, we completed each show with solidarity.

5 turn. Upon finishing we had to clear the stadium in 10 minutes for the next performing unit. We had to remind and cover for each other. Eventually, we completed each show with solidarity. During our 2015 s European tour, one of our stops was Viterbo a small Italian town. The venue was an ancient castle built in medieval times. Just as the audience appeared an hour before the event, we noticed they were all dressed in formal wear and the entrance was even paved with red carpet! Performing in Italy, the birthplace and heavyweight of opera, Mr. Yuen regarded highly of this particular effort. Moreover, our work represented Chinese opera and therefore allowed no room for blunder. Finally our endeavour was critically received and there were 7 curtain calls. We were eagerly invited by the organiser for a rerun. This valuable experience was a shot in the arm for promoting Cantonese opera in future. About Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop Led by veteran Cantonese opera performing artist Yuen Siu-fai and seasoned performing arts producer 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 in 2014, touring in a number of European countries, namely, the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy. In 2017, it was staged at the Performing Arts Market in Seoul (PAMS) presented by HKADC. JOCKEY CLUB New Arts Power Show Title Page 3

About Backstage Illustrating Cantonese Opera through Drama Led by veteran Cantonese opera performing artist Yuen Siu-fai, Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop presents Backstage with local elite

Live Music The live music of Backstage includes simple tunes and percussive arrangement when the bearded role is riding in a chariot.

It is also the only instrument that can produce sound by either exhaling or inhaling into the mouthpiece.

6 About Backstage Illustrating Cantonese Opera through Drama Led by veteran Cantonese opera performing artist Yuen Siu-fai, Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop presents Backstage with local elite performers, combining with the format of modern theatrical play and introducing the art of Cantonese opera in an interactive and accessible way. Live Music The live music of Backstage includes simple tunes and percussive arrangement when the bearded role is riding in a chariot. Sheng An instrument used in Backstage is Sheng - one of the oldest Chinese instruments. Made of several bamboo tubes, it has a crystal-clear timbre. It is also the only instrument that can produce sound by either exhaling or inhaling into the mouthpiece. Nanyin A treasure of the traditional Lingnan culture, Nanyin has been included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hong Kong in Its origin can presumably be traced to the late Qing dynasty. With narrative singing style, most Nanyin themes express a nostalgic feeling. There is a section of Nanyin performance by Yuen Siu Fai in Backstage. Synopsis This is a story that takes place in the backstage of a Cantonese opera troupe. The performance is about to start, and artists are getting ready for the show. A young reporter visits the troupe in the backstage and is intrigued by what she sees. Guided by the producer, the audience follows the young reporter in her tour of the backstage. Amidst the hustle and bustle of entrances and exits and changes of costumes, the audience is shown the wonderful spectacle of the leading lady s stylised movements in her 3-inch shoes, the leading actors dressed in dazzling military costumes, the Monkey King having his face painted A world of exquisite costumes, elegant body movements, spectacular martial arts routines, and even the wonderful Southern Music Nanyin, a brand-new way of experiencing Hong Kong s traditional art. JOCKEY CLUB New Arts Power Show Title Page 4

Elements of Cantonese Opera in Backstage Backstage features numerous

Every details are important and worth pondering.

7 Elements of Cantonese Opera in Backstage Backstage features numerous Cantonese opera elements including costumes, makeup and music. Every details are important and worth pondering. Exercise 1: The 4 Flags of the General What do the 4 flags of the General signify? Exercise 2: The Monkey King The Monkey King is an important character in Chinese literature. What is the name of the novel? JOCKEY CLUB New Arts Power Show Title Page 5

Exercise 3: The Three Inch Golden Lotus Foot blinding was practiced by women in ancient China. What is the social status of the family they usually come from?

Answers: Exercise 1: The 4 flags stand for military orders Exercise 2: The Monkey King is a key character in Journey to the West Exercise 3: The three inch golden lotus

8 Exercise 3: The Three Inch Golden Lotus Foot blinding was practiced by women in ancient China. What is the social status of the family they usually come from? In your view what does the custom represent? Answers: Exercise 1: The 4 flags stand for military orders Exercise 2: The Monkey King is a key character in Journey to the West Exercise 3: The three inch golden lotus is a symbol for the lady from a prominent family. It signifies elegance and femininity. Extended Activity Backstage constructs a fictional world with the front and back stages. How is it different from the drama performance you viewed before? Please explain if any. JOCKEY CLUB New Arts Power Show Title Page 6

9 Education Kit for Backstage 2018 Participating Art Group: Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop Publisher: Hong Kong Arts Development Council Editor: Cultural Connections Design: Pollux Kwok Date: October 2018 All rights reserved. All right reserved. Reproduction is prohibited unless consent from copyright owners is obtained. JOCKEY CLUB New Arts Power Show Title Page 7

#JCNewArtsPower #OurTalentsOurPride

#JCNewArtsPower #OurTalentsOurPride 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