Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District｜Reminiscence of Old Hong Kong 1930’s

Description

Fa Dan Ying's (decorated by Lai Yiu Wai) apprentice, Fa Lun (decorated by Tam Wing Lun), is heartbroken and has lost interest in learning. To cheer Fa Lun up, Fa Dan Ying shares a story from his youth, starting with the Tong Sai story of Shek Tong Tsui in the 1920s...

In the Tong Sai Jinling Restaurant, wealthy merchants' sons enjoyed the pleasures of life. Everyone competed to invite the top-rated courtesan, Ru Liu (decorated by Wong Kit Ching), from Sai Fa Ji寨 to accompany them. To please the famous courtesan, guests invited actors to perform operas. The actor, 'Small Born Eagle' (Lai Yiu Wai), was invited to perform, and Ru Liu also performed on a whim. They hit it off and felt a connection due to their similar life experiences and interests, and they developed feelings for each other.

A rich young master, Twenty-Two Young Master (decorated by Wong Shung Bin), was obsessed with Ru Liu, but 'Small Born Eagle' didn't care and argued with him. Considering 'Small Born Eagle' and Ru Liu's practical livelihoods, their masters, Gui Ma Qiu (decorated by Fu Shu Wong) and Mama San (decorated by Leung Wai Hong), forbade them from associating with each other.

In 1935, the Hong Kong British Government completely banned prostitution, and the brothels closed. 'Small Born Eagle' and Ru Liu lost contact. It wasn't until 1939, when a group of prostitutes initiated a national salvation performance to raise funds to help the national army resist the Japanese, that they met again and publicly performed together. In the fundraising competition, Hua Yan Ying (decorated by King Fa Girl) won the championship, and Ru Liu placed second. Instead of being disappointed, Ru Liu felt proud that she and 'Small Born Eagle' could jointly contribute to the national salvation effort. However, not long after, they suddenly received news that Hua Yan Ying had committed suicide by poison, which was shocking. This incident made Ru Liu feel that actors were unfeeling, and she decided to stop associating with 'Small Born Eagle' and left resolutely...