The Majestic Stage: The Story of Cantonese Opera Theatres
Thematic Gallery (6),
Hong Kong Heritage Museum
19 October 2008 - 18 May 2009
 
Long gone but still familiar venues such as the Tai Ping Theatre, Ko Shing Theatre, Lee Theatre, Central Theatre, Astor Theatre and Prince's Theatre once bore witness to the golden age of Cantonese opera. As Hong Kong and its popular forms of entertainment diversified, large-scale Cantonese opera theatres and their glory gradually faded into history. "The Majestic Stage: The Story of Cantonese Opera Theatres" exhibition lifts the curtain at these classic venues once again so you can soak up the atmosphere of the theatres in their heyday and the glamour of opera stars in their prime.

In 2006, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum received a generous donation from Beryl Bik-fook Yuen, the former owner of the Tai Ping Theatre, of over 1,000 artefacts related to Cantonese opera, which sparked the idea for the museum to organise an exhibition on the development of Cantonese opera theatres. Through photographs, architectural plans, seating plans, show tickets, models and other valuable exhibits, the exhibition attempts to systematically reconstruct the grandeur of the theatres, while offering an in-depth look at their social functions and their relationship with Cantonese opera troupes.

A Cantonese opera stage will be set up inside the exhibition hall where visitors can don Cantonese opera costumes and experience standing in the spotlight as a Cantonese opera artist, while a game entitled "The Little Prop Master" will invite you to try your hand at mixing and matching stage setups and props from different Cantonese opera scenes.

 
Exhibit Highlights

A scene from the opera The Eternal Beauty Sai Sze, performed by the Kok Sin Sing Opera Troupe at the Astor Theatre A scene from the opera The Eternal Beauty Sai Sze, performed by the Kok Sin Sing Opera Troupe at the Astor Theatre
1939
Courtesy of the Chinese Opera Information Centre, Department of Music,
The Chinese University of Hong Kong



Auditorium of the Tai Ping Theatre
1909
Courtesy of the Government Records Service,
Public Records Office

 Auditorium of the Tai Ping Theatre


Postbill for a performance by the Yi King Tin Opera Troupe at the Ko Shing Theatre Postbill for a performance by the Yi King Tin Opera Troupe at the Ko Shing Theatre
1913
Donated by Ms Beryl Bik-fook Yuen



A pair of tiger gate covers through which performers enter and leave the stage.
A pair of tiger gate covers through which performers enter and leave the stage.




Other Past Exhibitions