Veteran Cantonese opera stars from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to perform in December

     An array of well-known Cantonese opera stars will collaborate in a performance entitled "A Showcase of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Cantonese Opera Masters" in December to enhance the exchange of Cantonese opera culture.
 
     The veteran Cantonese opera performers from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao will perform the classic piece "Why Haven't Thou Returned?" at 7.30pm on December 19 (Thursday) at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall.
 
     The story follows Wen Pingsheng's mother, who intends to marry her son to Fang Keqing. To her dismay, she finds out Pingsheng has married Zhao Pinniang. Though unhappy about the marriage, Mrs Wen has no choice but to accept it. Keqing's elder brother, Sanlang, covets the beautiful Pinniang, and conspires with Keqing to bribe the doctor to give a false diagnosis that Pinniang has contracted a terminal disease. This gives Mrs Wen the excuse to force the couple to separate. Pingsheng secretly visits his sick wife, making Mrs Wen even more resentful of Pinniang. When Pingsheng is off to the battlefield to fight his enemies, Mrs Wen forces Pinniang to divorce her husband and sends her away. Pingsheng returns home victorious from the battle, and is shocked to learn that Pinniang has died. He refuses to marry Keqing and leaves home devastated and filled with grief.
 
     The cast from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao include Ding Fan, Yu Long, Huang Chunqiang, Jiang Wenduan, Li Jie and Xie Weixin (from Guangdong); Ng Chin-fung, Lui Hung-kwong, Yuen Siu-fai, Lam Po-chu, Nam Fung, Ko Lai, Chan Wing-yee, Chan Hung-chun, Sun Kim-long, Cheng Wing-mui, Loong Koon-tin, Law Ka-ying (from Hong Kong) and Peng Chiquan and Zeng Hui (from Macao).
 
     "A Showcase of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Cantonese Opera Masters" is jointly presented by the Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the Home Affairs Bureau and the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region. It is organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets priced at $180, $280, $380 and $480 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/chinese_opera/programs_895.html.