At the invitation of the 52nd Hong Kong Arts Festival, the Cantonese version of the musical "The Lion", a musical of the same name jointly created by artists from Guangdong and Hong Kong and adapted from the popular mainland animated film "The Lion", will be held in Hong Kong from March 8 to 10. It premiered at the Grand Theater of the Cultural Center and performed for 5 consecutive performances.

The lion dance, an intangible cultural heritage with a thousand-year history, displays cultural charm and spiritual core through modern stage art, arousing strong cultural resonance among Hong Kong audiences and receiving rave reviews.

　　The Cantonese version of the musical "The Young Lion" tells the story of an ordinary young man who strives for self-improvement and pursues his dreams by dancing the lion head and jumping the high pole.

As the first musical from Mainland China to be invited to participate in the Hong Kong Arts Festival, the Cantonese version of "Lion" is highly anticipated by the audience. Tickets for the five performances were sold out two weeks before the performance.

　　During the premiere on the evening of the 8th, the Grand Theater of the Hong Kong Cultural Center was packed with seats.

As the curtain opens, Ajuan, a frail and sickly young man from a small town, learns the skills from a lion dance teacher for the first time, then sticks to his original intention despite encountering changes. Finally, he and his teammates stand proud of the lions on the high stakes and return home from the inspirational story. The story slowly unfolds under the intersection of dance, music and lion dance.

The plot of the play is twists and turns, soul-stirring, the lines are full of laughter and inspiring, the gongs and drums are sonorous and passionate, and the superb performance is gripping, intoxicating the audience.

　　At the end of the performance, the audience was reluctant to leave for a long time, and the actors returned many times to express their thanks.

The audience applauded and cheered one after another, many people had tears in their eyes, and the atmosphere was moving.

　　Ms. Zhao Haiting, a Hong Kong citizen, told reporters that the musical was very inspirational and touching. The stage scenes and music kept echoing in her mind, especially when the final curtain call mentioned the hard work of creators from both places and their sincere love for art. The audience was very moved and looked forward to having the opportunity to appreciate more such excellent works in the future.

　　The Cantonese version of the musical "Lion" continues the exciting content and high reputation of the previous Mandarin version, and brings together outstanding artists, creators, performance and production teams from Guangdong and Hong Kong.

　　"This performance brings together outstanding artists, creators and performance and production teams from Guangdong and Hong Kong. From creation to front and backstage, it is an in-depth cooperation between Guangdong and Hong Kong. Everyone works together for a better stage presentation. This process It’s very precious and meaningful.” Chen Rui, the producer of the Cantonese version of the musical “The Young Lion” and the deputy general manager of the Guangzhou Grand Theater, said that lion dancing is a common cultural symbol and cultural gene in the Bay Area. He believes that the play conveys the message of “giving up.” Even if there are all kinds of reasons, the spiritual core of insisting that only one is enough can impress the Hong Kong audience.

　　Zheng Junchi, a musical actor who has been active in theaters in Hong Kong and Macao all year round, serves as the performer of the male protagonist Ajuan in this performance.

The first time he came into contact with lion dance, he only had about one and a half months of rehearsal time. He admitted that lion dance is easy to learn but difficult to master, and capturing the charm is the most difficult. Secondly, it requires high physical strength, and he also has to establish a tacit understanding with his teammates. "Although rehearsals are very hard, , but the team morale is high and the relationship has become very good.”

　　Regarding the role he played, Zheng Junchi said that Ajuan is a dream chaser. At first, she was purely attracted by enthusiasm. Later, when she experienced changes and looked into her heart, she discovered that the lion dance she loved could bring her freedom, thus making her The role is sublimated, from a simple "like" to a "symbiotic" relationship.

He said that "The Young Lion" is not only a passionate musical, but also hopes to make all people who have suffered setbacks and losses feel the hope of getting back on their feet.

　　The Cantonese version of the musical "The Young Lion" is directed by Bauhinia Culture Group Co., Ltd., the Propaganda Department of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the Propaganda Department of the Guangzhou Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, China International Culture Group Co., Ltd. and the Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau Produced.

　　The Hong Kong Arts Festival is an important cultural event in the international art scene. Since its inception in 1973, it has presented performances by many outstanding domestic and overseas artists from February to March every year.

With the theme of "In the Mood for Love Presenting Classics of Today and Tomorrow", the 52nd Hong Kong Arts Festival invited more than 1,400 outstanding artists from home and abroad to present more than 45 exciting programs and more than 150 performances.

　　Feng Xuezhi (Source: People’s Daily Overseas Edition)