Experimental Cantonese Opera Wenguang Explores the Valley by Xiqu Centre clinches Best Play and Best Actor awards in Beijing

The Experimental Cantonese Opera Wenguang Explores the Valley by Xiqu Centre of West Kowloon Cultural District has been honoured by the award of Best Play in the Contemporary Small Theatre – Xiqu category at the Fourth Beijing New Arts and Culture Outstanding Theatre Showcase series. Keith Lai, Co-playwright, Co-director and Actor in the production, also clinched Best Actor award in the category for his outstanding stage performance. These awards demonstrate that this production is not only receiving overwhelming reviews from the audience but is also highly recognised and appreciated by the industry.

Photo credit: West Kowloon Cultural District Authority

Produced by the Head of Xiqu, Performing Arts of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Naomi Chung, and co-directed with Keith Lai and Janet Wong, Wenguang Explores the Valley is the second experimental Cantonese opera production by the Xiqu Centre, pushing the boundaries of Chinese traditional theatre. This play leads the audience to appreciate and reflect on ancient xiqu traditions and explore the cultural inheritance of xiqu.

Photo credit: West Kowloon Cultural District Authority

The production premiered in Beijing in November 2019 and took part in the Fourth Beijing New Arts and Culture Outstanding Theatre Showcase series, which was organised by the Beijing Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Beijing Theatre Association. The Showcase Series had more than a hundred performances in a wide variety of genres. The inaugural Showcase Series was launched in 2013 and it aims to provide a platform of creation and presentation for artistic and cultural groups, showcasing the highest standard of xiqu productions in small theatre and also playing an active role in supporting and cultivating talent for artistic and cultural groups.

Photo credit: West Kowloon Cultural District Authority

Photo credit: West Kowloon Cultural District Authority

The Experimental Cantonese Opera Wenguang Explores the Valley will be performed in the Xiqu Centre this year, bringing this exciting performance to Hong Kong audiences. Please stay tuned! More details will be available on the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority website https://www.westkowloon.hk/en in due course.