Cantonese opera fans make the most of Sunbeam Theatre

Cantonese opera enthusiasts are making the most of the iconic Sunbeam Theatre before it closes down in March after more than 50 years. The theatre in North Point is to be transformed into a church. Veteran Cantonese opera singer Joyce Koi on Friday described the theatre as her second home and the place where she built her fame in the industry. She said she will enjoy the remaining days performing in the theatre, adding that she hopes to see more theatre spaces open up for shows. A woman surnamed Ngai, 76, said she witnessed the history of Sunbeam Theatre, recalling fond memories of going there with her mother. Ngai said she will try to watch as many shows as she can before the theatre closes on March 3. "It's like coming home. I usually come here with my friends and family. It makes me very happy because we watch the performance and then go out for dinner. Sometimes we watch a show in the morning, go to dim sum, then another in the afternoon followed by a dinner with ten to twenty people," she said. At a press conference about her upcoming show, Cantonese opera singer Angel Leung, who will perform during the theatre's final days, said the venue holds many memories. "I think most Cantonese opera actors and actresses have a lot of memories here at Sunbeam Theatre because most of us would have been audience members sitting down there at the auditorium, and then gradually we became performers performing on this stage, and we have acted many different roles and characters on this stage, so I think every one of us [will] actually miss this place very much," she said. "As for future plans, although this venue will not be used in the future, it will be used for other religious purposes. However we still have other venues such as the West Kowloon Xiqu Centre and also some other government venues such as Ko Shan Theatre, we will still have a lot of performances there." Leung added that she hopes to see Cantonese opera continue to grow in the SAR. "There are many things that we can do, especially focusing on promoting this art form to our next generation and also promoting it to the international audience groups," she said. "I think it's actually a very iconic culture in Hong Kong that represents this place because Cantonese opera in Hong Kong has its own style. I think it's really a very good way of promoting this city to foreigners." The theatre will be taken over by the Island Evangelical Community Church, with the sale spanning the ground floor through to the sixth floor, and also the rooftop of Kiu Fai Mansion.

Cantonese opera fans make the most of Sunbeam Theatre

Cantonese opera fans make the most of Sunbeam Theatre

Cantonese opera fans make the most of Sunbeam Theatre

Cantonese opera fans make the most of Sunbeam Theatre

Cantonese opera fans make the most of Sunbeam Theatre