Theatre master revamping classic with new artistic sparks

Fredric Mao Chun-fai’s re-staging of the Cantonese opera classic, Pavilion of a Hundred Flowers, was a sold-out hit at last year’s Hong Kong Arts Festival and a sensation among Cantonese opera lovers.  Mao takes the helm again in 2019 and leads the new generation of young Cantonese opera artists and creative crew in revamping this stunning production.  The reboot features a new approach to scriptwriting, acting and production, complemented with exquisite stage design, lighting, sound and costumes.  The new music arrangements by Li Cheung-ming bring a refined touch to this classic by Tong Tik-sang.

Based on Kunqu excerpt The Gift of a Sword from Baihua, Pavilion of a Hundred Flowers was originally written in 1958 for the Lai Sing Opera Troupe with the leads performed by Ho Fei-fan and Ng Kwan-lai.  The story unfolds as the Yuan court orders undercover agent Jiang Liuyun to infiltrate Prince Anxi’s mansion as spy, knowing he has long planned to revolt.  Jiang, however, mistakenly enters the forbidden Pavilion of a Hundred Flowers where he meets Princess Baihua who immediately falls for his graceful demeanour and offers Jiang a sword as well as her hand in marriage.