LCSD to present Cantonese chamber opera “Kungfood” in January
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present in January next year an original Cantonese comic opera, "Kungfood", which integrates Western chamber opera with Chinese kung fu and culinary art. The programme serves as the first complete performance after the work-in-progress preview in June this year. It is also one of the celebration events in 2022 marking the 60th anniversary of Hong Kong City Hall.
​ "Kungfood" is created by local composer Chan Hing-yan, together with scriptwriter and librettist Mak Su-yin. It tells the story of a catastrophe befalling a kung fu sect on Wu Lung Mountain. Master Shifu, the leader of the Black Dragon Sect, is killed by the usurper Sect Uncle, leaving behind the Master's wife and three male disciples with mediocre kung fu skills. The Secret Book of Kungfu is also lost. The injured Sect Uncle flees Wu Lung Mountain and studies the dark arts. Renaming himself "Divine Lord of the Coiled Dragon", he returns to Wu Long Mountain to claim leadership over the sect and transforms it into the "Coiled Dragon Cult". The Black Dragon Sect is thus on the cusp of being annihilated. The chef and his three female apprentices of the Black Dragon Diner, a noodle shop at the foot of Wu Long Mountain, also get caught up in this conflict, setting the stage for a fierce battle between good and evil.
​ Directed by Japanese director Tomo Sugao and conducted by Singaporean conductor Joshua Tan, the chamber opera will be performed by a group of renowned local opera singers and musicians, including tenor David Quah, bass-baritone Apollo Wong, sopranos Candice Chung and Athene Mok, mezzo-soprano Samantha Chong, pianist Timmy Tsang and members of the Hong Kong New Music Ensemble.
​ "Kungfood" will be staged at 8pm on January 7 and 8, 2022, and 3pm on January 9, 2022, at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall, with Chinese and English subtitles. Tickets priced at $350 and $450 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1235.html.
​ All persons will be required to use the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile application to scan the venue QR code before they are allowed to enter LCSD offices and venues except for exempted persons who are aged below 12 or aged 65 or above, and those with disabilities that render use of the app difficult. Exemptions will also be granted to individual persons depending on the actual circumstances. All exempted persons are required to complete a record form to register their personal particulars and the date and time of their visits. As it will take time to verify personal particulars of exempted persons under the new arrangement, their waiting time for using public services or entering the relevant venues may be lengthened. The LCSD suggests members of the public to arrive early and appeals for their understanding. The department also encourages the exempted persons to use the app as far as possible to save time.