Venues of different scale will be developed to boost the popularity of Cantonese opera, Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing says.

He today told lawmakers the Government plans to convert Yau Ma Tei Theatre and the Red Brick Building into a Xiqu Activity Centre with a small theatre of 300 seats. The project is scheduled for completion in 2011.

"We shall consult the sector and local organisations to see how the Xiqu Activity Centre can, upon completion, complement the community, and the cultural and arts activities taking place in the vicinity."

Projects in the pipeline

He said more projects will provide performance venues for Cantonese opera in the long term. They include:

* construction of an annex building of Ko Shan Theatre comprising a medium-sized theatre (600 seats), large-scale rehearsal rooms and audio-recording studios; and,

* building a large-scale theatre (1,200 to 1,400 seats), a small-sized theatre (400 seats) and practice facilities in the Xiqu centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District.

The Ko Shan Theatre project will be completed in 2012 while the West Kowloon Cultural District project is scheduled for completion in 2014-15.

Continuous support

On the tenancy renewal of Sunbeam Theatre, Mr Tsang thanked the landlord for its contribution to Cantonese opera development in the past.

The Government will consider seeking sponsorship and devising subsidy schemes to help the theatre operate at a reasonable market rental level.

Mr Tsang said the Government will support the development of Cantonese opera through different forms and channels, adding $30 million has been allocated to develop Cantonese opera in 2008-09.