Summary of Minutes of 9Th Meeting on 4 June 2007 (Monday)
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Cantonese Opera Advisory Committee Summary of Minutes of 9th Meeting on 4 June 2007 (Monday) 1 Performance Facilities in the Xiqu Activity Centre to be converted from the Yau Ma Tei Theatre It was noted that the Yau Ma Tei Theatre had been declared as a Grade II historical building. The conversion work must be carried out carefully to preserve its outlook and colonnade without affecting the structure. Members advised on the fundamental stage equipments required for Cantonese Opera performance. They agreed to discuss the details of the specific facilities later. 2 Follow Up on the Improvement Works at the Ko Shan Theatre A representative of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) reported that to facilitate the pedestrian access work, they would present a proposal of relocating the huge tree nearest to the pavement to the Tree Works Vetting Committee. It was noted that the work at the backstage unloading area was still in progress. Members requested the LCSD to commence the pedestrian access work as soon as possible to provide better access to the Theatre. 3 Work Report of the Working Group on the Promotion of Cantonese Opera at Schools Members agreed to the following proposals put forward by the Working Group on 1 June: (i) Advocate to include Cantonese Opera Curriculum into the New Senior Secondary Curriculum Educational institutions are encouraged to apply for registration as Cantonese Opera course providers with the EMB. Cantonese Opera should be included as one of the piloting Applied Learning Courses in the New Senior Secondary Curriculum. (ii) Advocate the provision of formal education in Cantonese opera in primary and secondary schools Tertiary institutions are urged to provide Cantonese Opera-related training courses. Cantonese Opera seed projects should be launched in primary schools. Members suggested that organizations interested in the above projects might apply to the Cantonese Opera Development Fund for grant. Work Report of the Preservation Working Group 4 Searching for Roots Project Members noted that Co-opted Member Ms Tsui Kit-yi was writing the biographies of Cantonese Opera masters Mr. Tang Wing Cheung (a.k.a. Sun Ma Sze Tsang) and Ms 1 CHAN Ho-kau. Members agreed to compile a list of famous Cantonese Opera artists to work on their biographies and to exchange views with the Guangdong counterparts on the preservation of Cantonese Opera. 5. Market Survey on Cantonese Opera The Convenor of the Working Group said that he had contacted the Department of Marketing, the Chinese University of Hong Kong by email for their views on the survey and was waiting for the reply. 6. International Conference on Cantonese Opera: Following the Footprints of the Past 200 Years It was noted that the organizer, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, had invited academics to attend the Conference and was planning other associated activities. 7. Progress of the Graded Assessment of Cantonese 0peratic Songs It was agreed that tertiary institutions should be invited to act as the organizer of the Assessment and the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessments Authority should act as the coordinator. Work Report of the Promotion Working Group 8. Cantonese Opera Youth Ambassadors Scheme It was informed that the organizer was in discussion with the Guangdong Cantonese Opera School and schools in Hong Kong to arrange Hong Kong students to visit the Mainland for cultural exchange. 9. Web Page Promotion It was noted that COAC’s web page used 3 simple terms as its domain name and its icon had been added onto the front page of HAB’s website for easy access. Members suggested to provide synopsis of Cantonese opera works in both Chinese and English to help promote Cantonese Opera. 10. Organisation of large-scale international performances LCSD was organising two large-scale performances including “A Showcase of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Cantonese Opera Masters” (粵港澳名家薈萃) in June and “The Theatrical Legacy of the Tang Dynasty” (戲說唐朝) in collaboration with the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong. 11. Brief on COAC’s discussion with Permanent Secretary for Education on the promotion of Cantonese opera in primary and secondary Schools on 8 March Members hoped that the Education Bureau (EB) would attach importance to Cantonese opera education in primary and secondary schools, as well as follow up the suggestions 2 raised at the meeting. Members also noted EB had included the appreciation of Cantonese opera in the music curriculum. 12. Exploring ways to cooperate with the Hong Kong Schools Music and Speech Association in the promotion of Cantonese opera in schools The Chairman exchanged views with the responsible Member of the Association. The Member of Association agreed to study the suggestion on the provision of continuation course for prize winners. 13. Follow-up on the approach to set up the Cantonese Opera Plaza Members considered that Cantonese opera could be promoted through the conversion of the Yau Ma Tei Theatre into a performance venue and increasing the number of performances in the Heritage Museum. It was not necessary to set up a Cantonese Opera Plaza. 14. Discussion on the display of videos on Cantonese opera performances and addressing the copyright issue Members suggested that LCSD should consider negotiating with the performance troupes. The troupes concerned would be responsible for requesting all persons involved in the performance to sign an agreement for video recording for educational purpose by LCSD. 15. Sharing views on the promotion of Cantonese opera with persons-in-charge of the fund- raising and promotional activities on Cantonese opera in English of the Wan Yan Past Students Association Members noted the suggestion on promoting Cantonese opera with the assistance of the mass media or famous artists. 16. Follow-up on the discussion with the public’s suggestions on setting up the “Hong Kong International Cantonese Opera Troupe” Members considered that emphasis should be put on exploring ways to promote local Cantonese opera to overseas countries and assistance from the Hong Kong overseas offices should be sought to publicise and promote Cantonese opera abroad. Besides, Members noted that arts and culture festivals would be held every two or three years in the Mainland. LCSD could reflect the intention of local Cantonese opera troupes to take part in these festivals to the Mainland authorities. Work Report of the Venue Working Group 17. LCSD’s Venue Partnership Scheme Invitation for proposals was issued in end June. The Scheme covers various kinds of performing arts. 3 18. LCSD’s hiring policy for rehearsal rooms Some Members remarked that there was difficulty in hiring LCSD’s rehearsal venues and that many venues were hired on a long-term basis. LCSD representative said that a comprehensive review on the venue hiring policy would be conducted. 19. Enhancement of Tung Chau Street training facilities of the Cantonese Opera Academy of Hong Kong It was informed that LCSD representative had met the course coordinator of the Cantonese Opera Academy of Hong Kong on the conversion of squash rooms into training facilities. The two parties agreed to consider converting another squash room into an activity room taking into account the usage of the converted activity room and the Academy’s future needs. 20. Follow-up on the public’s suggestions on Cantonese opera venues raised at the consultation and presentation session of CODF on 21 March The Chairman of the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong agreed to urge the audience not to change seats on their own and obey the rules when watching Cantonese operas in Sunbeam Theatre through their newsletter. LCSD representative stated that venue staff members would be reminded to allow audience to consume water and lozenge. 21. Progress on seeking a permanent performance venue for Cantonese opera The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong has entrusted Miss KONG Miu-lan to prepare a proposal on the permanent performance venue. Members agreed to the proposal to secure a permanent performance venue for Chinese opera in the West Kowloon Cultural District Development. Work Report of CODF Executive Committee 22. Grant results in the 4th quarter of 2006 In the 4th quarter of 2006, CODF granted more than $1.2m to support 26 projects, including performance projects for new talents and promotion, performance projects by master or senior artists in collaboration with new talents, as well as cultural exchange projects. 23. Presentation session on the granting of funds by CODF in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2006 cum briefing session on the application for “Hong Kong New Talent Cantonese Opera Troupe” Three-year Grant The briefing session was held in the Exhibition Hall in Sheung Wan Civic Centre on 21 March. Besides giving presentation on the invitation for proposals on the “Hong Kong New Talent Cantonese Opera Troupe” Three-year Grant and introduction on the subvented projects by grantees to the mass media and public, attendees also exchanged views on the promotion of Cantonese opera. 4 .