RED BOAT TROUPES AND CANTONESE ... - University of Georgia

After his teacher 13 th Son of Nam Hoi, Tong Dik Sung became the most talented librettist/script
writer of the 1950s, as well as in the history of Cantonese opera. Both 13 th Son of Nam Hoi and
Tong were highly educated. Tong’s plays were elegant and contained many unforgettable siu
kuk that are the most selected plays among other scripts. Despite his short career, his
contribution to Cantonese opera is unmatched.
Following in the footsteps of his teacher the 13 th Son of Nan Hoi, Tong used elegant
language and got rid of vulgar elements. Both teacher and student realized that the audience’s
average level of education had advanced. Tong also gave young lead-female and lead supporting
female roles more chances to perform and display their capabilities. He wrote scripts for Seen
Fung Ming Kek Tung, 143 whose lead- roles were performed by Yum Kim Fai (1913-1989) and
Baak Shuet Seen (b. 1928), both female performers. Yum always took the lead- male role. With
the cooperation of other well-known performers, Seen Fung Ming was very successful. Nine
premieres 144 were made including Tong’s last one, the The Re-incarnation of the Red Plum 145
(see appendix I for synopsis). Baak and Yum continued to train students, many of whom
became successful performers. Baak and Yum were respected because of their perseverance,
persistence, and hard work. Female performers were important in helping the Cantonese opera
industry survive in the absence of government support. Baak and Yum used their money to stage
shows of uncertain return and dedicated themselves to train students, setting up a new troupe for
their students. Together with Fong Yim Fan, who donated a flat for the Eight Harmony Guild
for performers in central Kowloon as a permanent home for the performers, they were important
in the continuation of Cantonese opera when Guangzhou was under the Cultural Revolution.
143 Seen Fung Ming Kek Tung is a performance troupe.
144 Sau Y. Chan, Hong Kong Yuet Kek koi syut: 1900-2002, vi.
145 The story is also named Legend of Red Plum, Li Hui-liang, Hung Mei-ge, or Cabinet of Red Plum in other opera
genres.
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