Artists say Unesco honour could help secure art's future in Hong Kong
Unesco's recognition of Cantonese opera could play a critical role in securing its future in Hong Kong by persuading the government to build a permanent theatre and college, and making it part of the school curriculum - long-term demands of the opera community.
'This confirms the cultural value of Cantonese opera,' Liza Wang Ming-chun, chairwoman of the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong, said. 'In future, the government must more actively seek a permanent home for Cantonese opera and increase the facilities to train new talent for the art. Foshan [in Guangdong] has built a large theatre, museum and opera school, with policies and support from the government. I am very envious.'
The outlook is not so optimistic. In Tong Tik-sang's heyday in the 1950s, his plays were the most popular art form in Hong Kong, playing to packed houses every night. He and his leading performers had the superstar status now accorded to Jackie Chan and Andy Lau Tak-wah. But audiences today are a fraction of those in the 1950s. Hong Kong now has only one theatre - the Sunbeam in North Point - dedicated to Cantonese opera, whose groups lease it, not own it. In February, efforts to have the former North Kowloon magistracy converted into an opera theatre were rejected; instead, the government chose to turn it into an art and design college. Lobbying is under way for a dedicated theatre for opera to be included in the West Kowloon cultural hub.
'For 20 to 30 years, the government has been too passive in its support of Cantonese opera,' said Wang, a leading opera actress.
Poon Po-chiu, the author of a book on Tong's work, said that cities on the mainland, such as Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Foshan, had been more proactive than the Hong Kong government. 'Guangzhou city has built a dedicated Cantonese opera house. Governments there are more decisive; here there is a great deal of discussion but little action.'
Professional and amateur groups put on hundreds of performances a year, but most devotees are middle-aged or elderly. Young people find the performances unintelligible, dealing with subjects and personalities they know nothing about. They prefer films, computer games and popular music.
Tong's fans are determined that he will never be forgotten. 'Tong is part of the literature of Hong Kong,' Poon said.
