In 1956, the Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupe adapted the traditional play Dream of Two Bears into Fifteen Strings of Cash. The story centres on a mysterious murder case triggered by fifteen strings of copper coins, unfolding a battle of wits and intricate deductions. Departing from Kunqu’s traditional focus on young male and female leads, this production highlights the confrontation between a clever rogue and a shrewd magistrate, with chou (comic) and laosheng (old male) as key roles. Equally unmissable is the classic Kunqu comedy The Lioness Roars, which humorously depicts the marital battle of wits between the scholar Chen Jichang and his formidable wife Madam Liu. The programme will also feature five classic Kunqu excerpts, perfectly blending literary elegance with dynamic stagecraft.
15/8 (FRI) 7:30pm
Fifteen Strings of Cash
Main Cast : Bao Chen, Tian Yang, Xiang Weidong, Xu Ni, Wang Wenhui, Wang Hengtao, Hu Linan
16/8 (SAT) 7:30pm
The Lioness Roars
Main Cast : Zeng Jie, Hu Ping, Bao Chen
17/8 (SUN) 2:30pm
Traditional Opera Excerpts The Celestial Place from The Dream of Nanke, Cancelling the Birthday Celebrations from The Pavilion of Chanting in the Wind, Rendezvous at the Pavilion from Red Pear Blossom, Entrusting His Son from The Beauty Washing Silk by the River, Fighting on the Water from Leifeng Pagoda
Main Cast : Wu Xinyi, Xi Bingqi, Hu Linan, Li Qiongyao, Bao Chen, Wang Jing, Wang Hengtao, Wang Wenhui, Xiang Weidong, Zhang Kankan, Xu Ni, Ni Runzhi, Zhang Tangxiao, Tian Yang, Huang Yi
The performance will run for about 2.5 hours including a 15-minute intermission.
Programme offerings differ by date. With Chinese and English surtitles.
Extension Activities
18/5 (SUN) 2:30pm
Talks on the Art of Kunqu Opera: Appreciation of Fifteen Strings of Cash
Speaker: Cheung Lai-chun
Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
In Cantonese
25/5 (SUN) 2:30pm
Talks on the Art of Kunqu Opera: Appreciation of Kneeling by the Pond from The Lioness Roars and Rendezvous at the Pavilion from Red Pear Blossom
Speaker: Cheung Lai-chun
Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
In Cantonese
1/6 (SUN) 2:30pm
Talks on the Art of Kunqu Opera: Appreciation of Entrusting His Son from The Beauty Washing Silk by the River and Cancelling the Birthday Celebrations from The Pavilion of Chanting in the Wind
Speaker: Cheung Lai-chun
Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
In Cantonese
14/8 (THU) 2pm
Masterclasses of Kunqu Opera: The Crafting of Dan (Female) Roles in Kunqu
Master: Zeng Jie
Moderator: Chan Chun-miu
Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
In Putonghua
14/8 (THU) 4pm
Masterclasses of Kunqu Opera: The Crafting of Sheng (Male) Roles in Kunqu
Master: Hu Ping
Moderator: Chan Chun-miu
Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
In Putonghua
14/8 (THU) 7:30pm
Meet-the-Artists: Six Generations of Kunqu Performers: The Sustaining Growth of the Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupe
Speakers: Gu Jiong, Bao Chen, Zeng Jie, Hu Ping, Tian Yang
Moderator: Chan Chun-miu
Venue: AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
In Putonghua and Cantonese
18/8 (MON) 5pm
Kunqu Classics as a Living Tradition
Speakers: Wu Xinyi, Wang Hengtao
Moderator: Cheung Lai-chun
Venue: Theatre, Block I, Jao Tsung-I Academy
In Putonghua
Coordinator: The Hong Kong Institute for Promotion of Chinese Culture and Jao Tsung-I Academy
Free admission. Limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is required, please refer to Cultural Presentations Section website.