Synopsis Blending traditional Cantonese opera techniques with contemporary stage and lighting design, this groundbreaking production reinterprets the legendary story of the downfall of Xiang Yu, the self-proclaimed “Overlord of Western Chu”. During his struggle for power against the warlord Liu Bang, Xiang and his troops are tricked into believing that their cause is lost. Singing The Song of Gaixia, Xiang bids a heartbreaking farewell to his concubine, Consort Yu, before leading his remaining troops into their final battle and ultimate defeat at Gaixia. Cast Lai Yiu-Wai Lai Yiu-wai graduated from The City University of Hong Kong with a BA in Chinese and is currently a committee member of the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong. A disciple of Cantonese opera masters Man Chin-sui and Poon Sai-lun, Lai also studied under Man Lai-fung and Hon Yan-ming. In 2010, he was recognised with the Most Promising Actor Award in a young male opera role by the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong and Radio Television Hong Kong Radio Five. In 2011, he was presented with the Award for Young Artist (Xiqu) by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council and formed his own troupe dedicated to promoting Cantonese Opera with a brand new image. In recent years, Lai has written a number of Cantonese opera scripts, including Son of Heaven, Breeze Pavilion and Battle of the Throne. He has also adapted two Shakespeare classics, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Hamlet, as Cantonese operas: A Dream in Fantasia and The Arrant Revenge. Janet Wong Kit-Fong Janet Wong is a graduate of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Advanced Certificate Programme (Cantonese Opera), where she specialised in danroles. Inheriting her talent from her father Huang Jin-tang, a renowned Cantonese opera actor, she also studied under Ng Lut-kwong, Liang Gu-yin, Hu Zhi-feng and Li Fung. Wong has performed with various Cantonese opera troupes and also formed her own. In 2011, she became a resident performer in the Hong Kong Young Talent Cantonese Opera Troupe. In 2014, she won the Outstanding Performance Award at West Kowloon’s Rising Stars in Cantonese Opera Showcase, and in 2015 she was presented the Award for Young Artist (Xiqu) by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. Wong’s recent repertoire includes excerpts from Han Xin Defects to Han from Chu, Irrevocable Loss and Breeze Pavilion. Ng Lap-Hei A graduate from The Cantonese Opera Academy of Hong Kong, Ng Lap-hei is currently an actor in the Cantonese Opera Young Talent Showcase at the Yau Ma Tei Theatre. Ng studied under Wong Yee-man, Yeung Ming, Zhou Zhen-bang, Guan Shi-zhen, He Jia-yao and Tsai Win-wei, and was recognised as champion of the Lim Por Yen Trophy Cantonese Opera Excerpt Division and the Hong Kong Youth Cultural and Arts Competition in 2011. His recent work includes the excerpt performances The Eight Mallets, The Battle of Changban Po, and Lo Faa Dong.

---

Programme Details Date: 6 - 7 September 2017 (Wednesday - Thursday) Time: 7:45pm Venue: HKRep Black Box Ticket price: $180 Half price for people with disabilities and the accompany minders and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients 10% discount for HKRep Pals Tickets available at URBTIX from 4 August 2017 Online booking: http://www.urbtix.hk Telephone credit card booking: 2111 5999 With Chinese and English surtitles *The duration is for reference only.