Sunbeam Theatre
Sunbeam Theatre (Chinese: 新光戲院) is a landmark theatre in Hong Kong showcasing Cantonese opera. It is located at 423 King's Road, North Point,[1] near the intersection with Shu Kuk Street.[2]
[edit] History
In the 1950s, many of the Shanghainese emigrants moved from Shanghai to Hong Kong and settled in the North Point area. At the time Shanghai was known for its leftist revolutions, and many of the leftist supported businesses relocated to North Point. Aside from the China Products Department stores, the Sunbeam Theatre is one of the landmark theatres to have been started by that same group of emigrants.[3] It was established by "Hua Chang Enterprises Ltd" in 1972. Later it was turned over to "Silver Entertainment Ltd" on 1 September 1980 to Henry Fok, chairman of "Sunbeam Entertainment". In 1988 Yao-Hung, chairman of the board of "Hong Kong United Arts Entertainment Company Ltd" took over its operation.
In 1989, the theatre was divided into two auditoriums, with the smaller one converted from the balcony for showing films, while the larger one converted from the stalls for stage performances.[4]
In 1993, Chung Sun Sing Opera Troupe had a season of 38 consecutive full-house shows at the Sunbeam Theatre, winning the theatre the title of "Hong Kong's Grand Palace for Cantonese Opera".[5]
In March 2007, the smaller auditorium was rebuilt as a multi-purpose theatre for stage performances.[4]
The 80,000-square-foot (7,400 m2) property was acquired by Yu Tai Hing in 2003 for HK$162 million, with a plan to transform it into a shopping mall.[6] The lease of the theatre, ended in February 2009.[7] After much public debate about the possible closure of the theatre and discussions about alternative options, the lease with the operator of the Theatre was renewed for three years, while the landlord had made clear his plan to redevelop the Theatre three years later.[8] At the same time, the Government was planning to provide HK$100,000 each month, through the Arts Development Council, to subsidise the rental of the Theatre.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ Ticketing through Cityline
- ^ Sunbeam Theatre. Lonely Planet
- ^ Wordie, Jason. (2002) Streets: Exploring Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press. ISBN 962-2095631
- ^ a b Cinema Treasures entry
- ^ "Heritage Museum shows the majestic stage of Cantonese opera theatres", LCSD. 18 October 2008
- ^ The Standard: "Sunbeam all set for new lease of life" (5 February 2009)
- ^ "Show of support for Sunbeam" The Standard (30 December 2008)
- ^ Minutes of meeting held on Friday, 13 February 2009. Legislative Council – Panel on Home Affairs
- ^ "Gov't to subsidise Sunbeam Theatre" news.gov.hk (21 February 2009)
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Sunbeam Theatre |
- Sunbeam Theatre website (Chinese)
- Seat Arrangements
