As for the assignment, I want to explore the reason why Cantonese Opera is getting less popular over time. And this is not only happening in Cantonese Opera but also in other Chinese traditional operas. As a native that born and raised in Canton, I hold the belief that opera is a manifestation of the vernacular and identity. These things are doomed when someone is born and raised. And it is impossible and ignorant to erase them.
But unfortunately, the number of audience to the Yue opera is getting smaller and smaller. It remains a popular thing in the older generation. As an important intangible cultural heritage of China, it epitomizes the cultural basics and the words, emotions that our ancestors tried to convey. What’s worse, as a signature Cantonese opera theatre in Hong Kong, Sunbeam Theatre closed down in 2025. And this is the final night live show of the theatre.
Besides the closure of the theatre, the selection of the opera is getting more and more different. Taking a well-known Hong Kong traditional theatre as an example, although it was arranged to shut down in March 2025, it published a new Cantonese Opera before its closure, themed Trump, The Twin President. A heated debate was among Cantonese speakers.
Some people think it is a ridiculous opera because traditional opera is aimed at demonstrating historical stories and allusions. Others think that there’s no need for depreciating it as it attracts more people to catch a glimpse of the traditional opera.
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