Talk of the town : Cantonese opera in Hong Kong
【明報專訊】Sunbeam Theatre (新光戲院), the renowned North Point venue best known for its Cantonese opera performances, staged its final show on 3rd March, bidding farewell to fans and opera enthusiasts after serving the people of Hong Kong for 52 years. The operator of Sunbeam Theatre, Mr. Lee Kui-ming, said that although the theatre has completed its historic mission, the spirit and culture it carries will endure.
The Theatre is not only a collective memory for the older generation of Hong Kong people but also ranked among the "25 Asian Experiences Not to Be Missed by Tourists" in a poll conducted on the American Time Magazine website in 2009.
Cantonese opera as
a cultural heritage
Without Marvels movie and television series, watching Cantonese opera in the theatre was the main type of entertainment among the older generation in Hong Kong. Cantonese opera is a type of Chinese traditional theatre, with singing and spoken lines delivered in the Cantonese dialect. It is popularly found in the Cantonese-speaking regions, which include mainly Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.
In each opera production, the story is told through the "four basic skills" of singing (唱), acting (做), delivery of spoken lines (念) and martial arts (打), enhanced by stage makeup, costumes, props and the percussive beats on gongs and drums. Cantonese Opera is one part of the intangible cultural heritage in Hong Kong.
What is a collective memory?
Collective memory is like a group's shared collection of memories, knowledge, and information that are closely linked to who they are as a group. Some historic buildings, such as the Blue House (藍屋) in Wan Chai, and some intangible cultural aspects like Dragon's beard candy (龍鬚糖), are typical examples of collective memory among the people of Hong Kong.
■Game
(Answers on next text)
Which of the following parts of the cultural heritage of Hong Kong is intangible?
(1) Hong Kong-style Milk Tea Marking Technique
(2) Western Market, Sheung Wan (舊上環街市)
(3) Mid-Autumn Festival - the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance (大坑舞火龍)
■Grammar booster
Not only ... but also
To connect and emphasize two elements in a sentence.
E.g. The restaurant serves not only delicious food but also excellent customer service.
■Gear up
(Answers on next text)
1. Sunbeam Theatre is located at North Point. (True/ False)
Fill in the blanks with the glossary below.
2. There is not much in the way of _________ in this district – just the cinema and a couple of recreational park.
3. This kind of hot and spicy food is very _______ of the food in this city.
■Glossary
endure (v) 持續
entertainment (n) 娛樂節目
dialects (n) 方言
typical (adj) 典型的
(Criticisms on this publication, if any, are aimed at pointing out the errors or defects of certain systems or policies with a view of rectifying or eradicating such errors or defects, as well as prompting improvement or remedy for them via lawful means. There is absolutely no intention of inciting hatred, discontent or hostility towards the government or other classes of the community.)
[Smarties' Power English 第436期]
Comic : Hong Kong's tennis star-Coleman Wong
【明報專訊】The Smarties and Eason are at the tennis court. ■Know more ... 詳情
