Eye-catching fashion:
The costume renowned Cantonese opera star Fung Wong-nui (left) wore 50 years ago is prominently displayed.
Bygone days:
"The Elixir of Love" was shown at City Hall in 1968. Then, the cheapest ticket cost $5 and the most expensive, $25.
History guardian:
Veteran music critic Chow Fan-fu's timely book, "Where Modern Hong Kong Began: The City Hall & Its 50-Year Story", uses story-telling techniques to introduce characters with a strong connection to the venue.
Exhibit reviews City Hall's glorious past
March 02, 2012
To commemorate Hong Kong City Hall's golden jubilee, an exhibition at the venue showcases its influence over and contribution to local performing arts over the past 50 years.
Since its inauguration on March 2, 1962, more than 10,000 local and overseas arts troupes have performed at City Hall. Important cultural events such as the Hong Kong Arts Festival, the Festival of Asian Arts and the Hong Kong International Film Festival made their debut there.
The exhibit spotlights the dramas, Chinese and Western operas, music performances, festivals, dance, multimedia and film activities that took place there, as well as its history and architectural features.
On prominent display are costumes worn by renowned Cantonese opera stars Mak Bing-wing and Fung Wong-nui, who performed their popular Cantonese opera "Never-ending Ties & Feud" at City Hall when the venue opened in 1962.
The nightclub set from Raymond To and Ko Tin-lung's famous drama "I Have a Date with Spring" has also been re-created.
Recordings and video excerpts of various concerts and performances staged at City Hall in the 1960s to 2000 will be featured, including a piano recital by Fou Ts'ong's and the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra in the 1960s; the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, concerts by the Hong Kong Children's Choir, and a piano recital by Vladimir Ashkenazy in the 1970s; and the opera
Carmen in the 1980s, as well as a concert by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and Monique Duphil.
The speech Queen Elizabeth II made at City Hall when she visited Hong Kong in 1975 can also be heard.
Some early experimental films are also being screened, including Sek Kei's
Dead Knot (1969) starring renowned movie director John Woo; Law Kar's
Routine featuring Nathan Road in the 1960s; Mable Cheung's
Writing on the Wall and Alex Cheung's
Come Together.
A collection of old photos reflect the swearing-in ceremonies of former Governors, the concert hall, theatre, ballroom, the marriage registry, memorial garden, the public library located in the High Block and memorable civic events that took place over the years.
Memorable photos collected through the Hong Kong City Hall 50th Anniversary Photo Collection Campaign are also featured.
Veteran music critic Chow Fan-fu has published a timely book,
Where Modern Hong Kong Began: The City Hall and Its 50-Year Story. Using the form of story-telling, the book depicts people and events closely associated with City Hall over the past 50 years. Priced at $230, it is on sale in the venue's art shop.
The "Hong Kong City Hall 50th Anniversary Commemorative Exhibition" will run until April 9. Admission is free.
For enquiries about the City Hall 50th anniversary programmes, please visit this
website.
