Lau Wai Ming | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 October |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, Cantonese opera performer |
| Musical career | |
| Also known as | Woo |
| Origin | Hong Kong |
| Genres | Cantonese opera |
| Website | Lau Wai Ming Website |
Lau Wai Ming (Chinese: 劉惠鳴) is an accomplished Cantonese opera artist from Hong Kong specializing in scholar-warrior roles (文武生). She graduated from Belilios Public School and completed her opera training at Yun Mun Cantonese Opera Academy 「韻文粵劇學苑」 and the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong Cantonese Opera Academy 「八和粵劇學院」. She is a veteran educator and arts advisor on Cantonese opera for children and youth, and she sits in several key Cantonese opera associations and committees,
In 2003, she started coaching children in Cantonese opera. She continues to be actively involved in teaching and nurturing children in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools to appreciate this traditional art form. Apart from her performance engagements and appointments in the above-mentioned organisations, she conducts opera seminars and workshops at educational institutions to create awareness and interest among the new generations, to share with them the importance of preserving this traditional performance art and cultural heritage.[15] In recognition of her contribution towards arts education, Yeung Ming Cantonese Opera Troupe received the Year 2018, Certificate of Merit, Arts Education Award (Non-School Division) from the Hong Kong Arts Development Council .
Besides her operatic career, Lau participated in fund raising activities for charities and as well as visits to old folks homes and hospitals. In 2004, she performed at the National Kidney Foundation 「腎臟基金會」fund raising event in Genting (Malaysia) and in Year 2012 and 2013, she was invited to perform in fund raising events in the United States and Canada.[16][17][18] She was presented with Certificates of Recognition and Certificate of Appreciation by the various level of government offices in recognition of her contributions and support.[19]
In her early career, she already started to participate in cultural exchange programs. In Year 1993 and 1994, she served as a tourism ambassador for the Hong Kong Tourist Promotion Board 「香港旅遊發展局」, performed in Japan, introducing the traditional art form of Hong Kong cantonese opera and same time promote Hong Kong as a tourist destination. She continues to be actively involved in many arts and cultural exchange events and forums organized by overseas organizations, to discuss and exchange views and ideas revolving around the development of opera and its fraternities.
Lau Wai Ming has performed in China, United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Macau and Japan. Over the years, she has performed in over 50 opera works and has worked with artists such as 南紅、任冰兒、尹飛燕、白雪紅、尤聲普、阮兆輝、陳詠儀、王超群、莊婉仙、李淑勤、陳嘉鳴、岑翠紅、鄭詠梅、花居冠、鄧美玲、高麗、文寶森、新劍郎、廖國森、溫玉瑜 among others. Some of the well-known opera titles performed include:
| Opera Titles | 劇名 |
|---|---|
| The Peony Pavilion | 牡丹亭驚夢 |
| Princess Chang Ping | 帝女花 |
| The Purple Hairpin | 紫釵記 |
| Dream of the Red Chamber | 紅樓夢 |
| Legend of the White Snake | 白蛇傳 |
| Butterfly Lovers | 樓台會 |
| The Butterfly and Red Pear Blossoms | 蝶影紅梨記 |
| The Reincarnation of Lady Plum Blossom | 再世紅梅記 |
| The Last Emperor of Southern Tang | 李後主 |
| Mistake at the Flower Festival | 花田八喜 |
| Contention for Command | 龍鳳爭掛帥 |
| The Moon Pavilion | 雙仙拜月亭 |
| The Sounds of Battle | 雷鳴金鼓戰笳聲 |
Her love for old Cantonese classic movies led her to produce and stage some of the movies into opera. So far, she has successfully staged the following titles and received good reviews.
| Opera Titles | 劇名 |
|---|---|
| The Purple Hairpin | 精品紫釵記[20][21][22][23] |
| Twelve Railing Twelve Hairpin | 十二欄杆十二釵[24] |
| Fun of the 3 Generations | 代代紐紋柴[25][26] |
| Without Number | 無號數 (非夢奇緣)[27] |
| N.A | 英雄情淚保山河 |