Hong Kong (HKSAR) – Renowned Cantonese opera star Yuen Siu-fai has made great contributions in film, television and Cantonese opera. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Yuen’s career as a performing artist, the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA)’s “Morning Matinee†August and September series with the theme “From Child Prodigy to Stage Royalty – Yuen Siu-fai’s 60th Anniversary in Performing Arts†will showcase a selection of Yuen’s films as a child actor and his later works to offer audiences a comprehensive overview of his outstanding performances.
The opening ceremony of “From Child Prodigy to Stage Royalty – Yuen Siu-fai’s 60th Anniversary in Performing Arts†was held today (August 3) at the HKFA to pay tribute to this member of Hong Kong’s performing arts elite. Officiating at the ceremony were the Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Culture), Ms Cynthia Liu, and Yuen Siu-fai.
At a seminar entitled “Yuen Siu-fai on His Movie Lifeâ€, Yuen discussed his life in movies over the past 60 years with the audience.
Yuen made his debut as a child prodigy at the tender age of 7 before taking up Cantonese opera and has given dazzling performances in his different roles in films and on the stage.
Ms Liu said at the ceremony that Yuen, in addition to performing, has dedicated himself to promoting the traditional art of Cantonese opera to future generations and furthering the development of the art form of Cantonese opera in Hong Kong.
She also said that in addition to the various celebratory activities in the performing arts community to mark the 60th anniversary of Yuen’s career as a performing artist, the HKFA has specially arranged for thematic screenings, a seminar and post-screening talks to pay tribute to Yuen for his contributions in film, television and Cantonese opera and also to showcase to the public his efforts as a performing artist.
“From Child Prodigy to Stage Royalty – Yuen Siu-fai’s 60th Anniversary in Performing Arts†includes two series, entitled “The Child Prodigy†and “The Master Prodigyâ€.
Screenings in “The Child Prodigy†are being held at 11am on August 9, 16, 23 and 30 at the Cinema of the HKFA. The films to be shown are “Two Sisters in Phoenix Bower†(1954), with Yuen as a youngster with a grown-up’s mind; “Orchid of the Valley†(1954), which displays his tearful performance; the comedy “Wong Fei-hung and the Lantern Festival Disturbance†(1956), in which he is the little prankster and his hysterical fight scene with the up-and-coming Lee Hong-kum makes for some side-splitting laughter; and his first film playing Nazha, “Nazha’s Adventures in the East Sea†(1957).
The series “The Master Prodigy†will be presented on September 6, 13, 20 and 27. The selected works are “The Twins†(1960), in which Yuen co-starred with Connie Chan Po-chu; “Fairies and a Monkey†(1965), with Yuen, Chan and Josephine Siao forming an iron triangle; and the television drama series “Below the Lion Rock†– “Pawn†(1977), “Wild Child†(1977) and “Revisiting the Shum’s Garden†(1994) – and the film “The Legend of Lee Heung Kwan†(1990), with Yuen taking on heavier dramatic roles.
All films are in Cantonese without subtitles.
The programme is guest-curated by film researcher Yuen Tsz-ying.
Tickets priced at $20 are now available at URBTIX. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Credit card bookings can be made at 2111 5999 or on the Internet at www.urbtix.hk.
Detailed programme information can be obtained in the “ProFolio 68? leaflet, which is distributed at all performance venues of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
For enquiries, please call 2739 2139 or 2734 2900 or browse the website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/filmprog/english/2011mm/2011mm_film.html.
Source: HKSAR Government
Published on: 2013-08-03
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