'We’re excited to have this special opportunity to perform in such an intimate venue, allowing the audience to appreciate the art and culture of Cantonese opera up close,' says Kam. Photo: Kam Sin Kiew
With Chinese New Year just around the corner, there’s no better time to experience the grand tradition of Cantonese opera.
An Evening Of Cantonese Opera, taking place from Jan 17-19 at Bobo KL in Bangsar, offers arts lovers the chance to enjoy this performance in an intimate setting.
For this festive season showcase, the award-winning Kam Sin Kiew (KSK) Art Crew, under the direction of opera master and doyenne Kam Sin Kiew, will present four excerpts from their extensive repertoire: Empress Wu And Dik Yan Kit, The Song For Zhou Yu, Emperor Tang Ming And Consort Yang, and The Goddess Of The Luo River.
Each performance offers a glimpse into the rich history of Chinese opera, combining intricate storytelling, dramatic artistry, and timeless theatre.
If you don’t understand Cantonese, don’t worry. The performance will be narrated in both English and Cantonese.
In a recent interview, Kam, affectionately known as "Sifu" to many, shared that the KSK Art Crew has included English narration in their performances to make their art form accessible to a broader audience.
“We’ve always performed for diverse audiences from various countries and backgrounds. Understanding the story behind each performance is crucial, so for those who don’t speak Cantonese, we provide English narration to ensure everyone can fully enjoy the experience,” says Kam, who moved to Malaysia from Hong Kong in 1988.
The excerpts, each lasting approximately 20 minutes, bring to life timeless tales from ancient China, immersing audiences in dramatic retellings of stories such as that of Wu Zetian, China's first and only empress, and the tragic love between Emperor Tang Ming and his concubine.
“We selected these excerpts for two main reasons: to share some of China’s legendary stories and to highlight the beauty of Cantonese opera, particularly its distinctive singing, acting, dancing, makeup, and costume styles,” explains Kam.
The troupe is accustomed to performing in intimate settings – just last year, it staged several shows at Kwai Chai Hong, a popular alleyway in KL’s Chinatown, during the Mid-Autumn Festival. In this confined space, there was barely any distance between the performers and their captivated audience.
“A core value of KSK Art Crew is blending traditional art and techniques with modern technology and innovative concepts – there’s no single right way to experience Cantonese opera. We’re excited to have this special opportunity to perform in such an intimate venue, allowing the audience to appreciate the art and culture of Cantonese opera up close,” says Kam.
For this performance, the veteran performer will be joined by fellow seasoned members of the troupe: Jean Lee, Joyce Chan, and Ken Lee.
Raised in Hong Kong, Kam is the fourth generation of a respected Cantonese opera family. With over 50 years of Chinese theatre experience, she continues to lead the KSK Art Crew, which she founded in 2012 in Kuala Lumpur.
A bridge to new experiences
This will be the first time Cantonese opera graces the stage at Bobo KL, a contemporary music venue located along Jalan Bangkung in Bangsar.
For Bobo KL co-owner, artistic director and singer Sean Ghazi, this performance has been a long-awaited dream. He has always hoped to bring the rich tradition of Cantonese opera to the venue, recognising its ability to blend artistry with cultural heritage in a way that resonates with both local and international audiences.
Last month, the venue hosted The KL Madrigals Singers & Players, who performed a selection of motets, carols, and four-hand piano music, all set against a backdrop of Christmas candlelight.
Sean adds that he sees Bobo KL not just as a music venue, but as a miniature national theatre, with programming that strives to be as inclusive as possible, reflecting the diverse faces, languages, and cultures of Malaysia.
“Luckily, the timing this year with Chinese New Year coming up and the availability of Madam Kam seemed to align. We are honoured that she agreed to perform this month,” he says.
“What’s wonderful about Bobo KL is that it serves as a bridge between new audiences unfamiliar with certain art forms and more niche performances, presenting them in a 'cabaret' setting within the familiar surroundings of Bangsar. So, if you’ve never experienced the spectacle of Cantonese opera, this is the perfect opportunity to give it a try,” concludes Sean.
An Evening Of Cantonese Opera is showing at Bobo KL from Jan 17-19.
