Jointly led by veteran Cantonese opera performing artist Yuen Siu-fai and seasoned performing arts coordinator Barbara Tang, Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop is dedicated to the education, promotion and research on the art of Cantonese opera. This is a drama with both English and Cantonese dialogues. The story takes place in the backstage of a Cantonese opera troupe on an overseas tour. When the performance is about to start and artists are getting ready for the show, a foreign-born Chinese reporter who does not speak Cantonese comes to visit the backstage. She sees the Monkey King with a painted face, the leading actor dressing in dazzling military costumes, the leading lady in her 3-inche shoes and the bearded man showing his technique with his long beard……The reporter is curious and puzzled by all these. Her queries are answered by the producer. At the same time, an aged artist steps into the backstage and is mistaken as a substitute musician. As the opera starts, all the actors leave the backstage for the performance. The aged artist remains in the backstage alone and reminisces his past as he sings a nanyin (a particular soft style in Cantonese music). When all artists come back to the backstage, they then realise this old gentleman is actually a renowned opera star who has migrated a long time ago……

Colourful and vibrant elements of Cantonese opera will be presented in this programme in an easily comprehensible and lively approach that can enhance students' appreciation. After the performance, an interesting interactive session on Cantonese opera elements will be conducted, and there will be a Cantonese opera excerpt performance of Under the Umbrella from The Moon Pavilion.

Remarks: Dialogue are mostly in English with Chinese and English surtitles. Chinese and English surtitles are also provided for the Cantonese opera excerpt performance.