Once a popular art form for the mass, Cantonese opera has dwindled into a minority culture. In response to this, what will be the role of the upcoming Xiqu Centre? Apart from being a world-class performance venue, what can the Xiqu Centre do to preserve and promote this art form? Attempts such as organising performances for the rising stars, arranging members of Barwo to visit Hangzhou for exchange with Zhejiang Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Troupe, experimenting with “tea house theatre” etc. have been made to explore new directions for development in both hardware and software. Training new talents, expanding the audience base and bringing innovation without compromising the tradition are all pressing issues being examined by the old and new members of the industry.

Producer: Freda Hui