Why intended users of US$340 million Hong Kong theatre complex may perform elsewhere

Intended as the new home of Chinese opera in Hong Kong, the Xiqu Centre is too small and its ticketing system unsuitable, say opera groups

Theatres at the first major venue to open in the West Kowloon Cultural District are also too expensive to hire, say presenters of drama and Western opera

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Song Hong-bo (left) and Cheng Wing-mui (right) in Prosperity Cantonese Opera’s production of “Bound-foot Liu Jinding Battles at the Fort” at the Xiqu Centre this month. Photo: Prosperity Cantonese Opera

Published: 8:19am, 18 Feb 2019Updated: 4:13pm, 19 Feb 2019

Already facing calls to reduce the rent for its theatres, the newly opened HK$2.7 billion (US$346 million) Xiqu Centre for Chinese opera is being criticised for having far fewer seats than originally advertised and for shortcomings in its proprietary ticketing system, which will be rolled out to all future venues in the West Kowloon Cultural District.

The issues are being highlighted by members of the Hong Kong Cantonese Opera Chamber of Commerce, who are among the first to use the venue custom-built for traditional Chinese opera. It is the first major venue to open in the much-delayed cultural district.

As part of the Xiqu Centre’s opening season, the chamber’s “Spring Festival Showcase” of 13 operas is currently being staged rent-free at the venue’s Grand Theatre; opera companies have also been exempted from paying the usual 8 per cent box office commission.

The chamber, which represents the owners of 10 local troupes that account for 70 per cent of annual Cantonese opera productions in the city, is disappointed that it only has 980 tickets to sell per show, with around 10 seats reserved for the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority’s internal distribution, says chamber chairwoman Marilyn To Wai Sau-ming.

To’s own troupe, called Super Talent International, has sold out shows on February 18 and 19.