Golden Dragon Troupe to perform rescheduled “The Butterfly Goblet” and “Story of a Sing-song Girl” in March

     The Golden Dragon Troupe will stage two Cantonese operas, namely "The Butterfly Goblet" and "Story of a Sing-song Girl", in March. The performances were originally scheduled in last December.
 
     In "The Butterfly Goblet", an old fisherman, Hu Mingheng, catches a strange fish with a human head. Lu Shihuan, son of the Governor, tries to snatch the fish by force, seriously injuring Hu. Standing up for Hu, Tian Yuchuan injures Shihuan. Hu escapes back to his boat and tells his daughter, Fengjiao, what has happened before he dies. Yuchuan knows he is in big trouble, and also finds his way to the boat. The two young people meet. Fengjiao lets Yuchuan hide in the boat to escape the manhunt. A love story begins and Yuchuan gives her his family heirloom, a butterfly goblet, as a betrothal pledge.
 
     Shihuan finally losses his life. General Tang Yang receives an order to hunt down the murderer Yuchuan but to no avail. Instead, Tang arrests Yuchuan's father, the chief official of Jiangxia prefecture. As a fugitive, Yuchuan changes his name to Lei Chuanzhou. A decree comes from the Emperor and Governor Lu is sent on an expedition. With Yuchuan's assistance, Governor Lu wins the battle. In appreciation of his contribution to the victory, Governor Lu wants to betroth his daughter to Yuchuan. The situation turns out to be very complicated as love and relationships become entangled.
 
"The Butterfly Goblet"
7.30pm, March 12 (Friday)
Auditorium, Tuen Mun Town Hall
Tickets: $140, $200, $260 and $320
7.30pm, March 25 (Thursday)
Theatre, Ko Shan Theatre
Tickets: $140, $200, $280 and $380
 
     In "Story of a Sing-song Girl", a local upstart and bully, Wu Shou, tricks Yang Tianbao into believing that his wife, Wei Huachou, is unfaithful. The couple quarrels and Tianbao departs home in anger, leaving Huachou behind with his younger sister. Having succeeded with his scheming, Wu visits on the pretext of collecting rent. He makes lascivious passes at Tianbao's sister. In a bid to save her, Huachou kills Wu with a pair of scissors. She is arrested and sentenced to death.
 
     Meanwhile, Tianbao has saved the Emperor and is awarded the title of Prince of Fidelity and Bravery. On his way back to his home town, he passes by the execution ground and finds his wife about to be executed. This reminds him of her infidelity and is overwhelmed with anger. Fortunately, Huachou's younger brother comes to her rescue in the nick of time. Knowing that they have been fooled by Wu, the couple makes up and gets back together.
 
"Story of a Sing-song Girl"
7.30pm, March 13 (Saturday)
Auditorium, Tuen Mun Town Hall
Tickets: $140, $200, $260 and $320
 
     The cast of the performances includes Loong Koon-tin, Tang Mi-ling, Chan Hung-chun, Lui Hung-kwong, Chan Ka-ming and Sun Kim-long.
 
     The performances by the Golden Dragon Troupe are presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). Ticket holders of "The Butterfly Goblet" originally scheduled on December 15 (Tuesday) at the Theatre, Ko Shan Theatre, can keep the original tickets intact (with stubs) to attend the rescheduled performance on March 25. Please note that some seats will be rearranged. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_1053.html. For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999.
 
     A pre-performance talk and a post-performance talk in Cantonese will be held at 7.30pm on March 3 (Wednesday) and at 7.30pm on April 1 (Thursday) at AC2, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Speakers will include Loong Koon-tin and Tang Mi-ling. Admission is free. Telephone registration is required, and please call 2268 7267 from 10am today onwards. Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Details can be found on the above website.