Conceptualised and produced by the School of Chinese Opera and the School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts, “Gongs and Drums – Pearl Bay” revolves around the Pearl Kingdom and the Pearl Village.

The new king of the Pearl Kingdom in the deep sea of the Pearl Bay, overturned the ancestral precept of harmonious coexistence with the villagers of the Pearl Village who had been living by pearl fishing for generations. He also detained a pearl-fishing boy, Yahai, to deter the villagers from pearl fishing. Princess Lianzhu of the Pearl Kingdom secretly released Yahai. The villagers failed to fish pearls due to the depletion of pearl-oyster beds, so the county magistrate ordered to fill the Pearl Bay. The King of the Pearl Kingdom led the aquatic tribe to resist. Yahai died during the fierce battle with the king. Princess Lianzhu used her pearl to save Yahai and she lost her life. The old king of the Pearl Kingdom used his own pearl to revive Princess Lianzhu as a human, and married her to Yahai. The county magistrate was dismissed due to corruption, Yahai was elected as the new village head to rebuild the Pearl Bay. The aquatic tribe and the villagers have coexisted harmoniously since then.

Playwright: Dr. Boaz Chow
Artistic Director/ Director: Ying Kam-sha
Directors: Hong Hai, Liu Li, Tsai Chih-wei
Music Designer / Music & Percussion Director: Zhao Riwei
Music Director / Vocal Coach: Mach Tuy Nghia
Percussion Director: Ching Weng-sung

Set Designer: Ryan Lo
Costume Designer: Jobelle Wang
Lighting Designer: Timothy Tsang
Sound Designer: Essky Yik
Production Manager: Lee Man-kwan

Performed and accompanied by students of the Performance Major and the Music Major of the Academy’s School of Chinese Opera. Students of the Cantonese Opera Youth Programme participate in the performance.
Members of the production team are students and faculty from the School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts.

Photos: Kontinues