After more than fifty years of illuminating North Point with the vibrancy of Cantonese opera, the New Light Theatre has drawn its curtains for the last time. On March 3, 2025, the theatre officially closed its doors, marking the end of an era characterized by rich performances and cultural significance.
The final performance, titled 小平你好, brought together beloved actors and actresses, receiving warm applause from the audience, many of whom had grown up attending shows at the theatre. Lee Kwan-ming, who operated the theatre for the past 12 years, acknowledged the bittersweet nature of the closure. “New Light Theatre is the memory of our generation; it is significant and cherished,” he expressed poignantly during the closing ceremony.
Dragon Tran, chairman of the Bahe Society, participated alongside Lee during the emotional closing ceremony, stating, “This moment is one of the most memorable of my life.” For Tran and many others, the theatre had become more than just a venue; it was a cherished community hub where people gathered to experience the art of Cantonese opera.
The theatre has been regarded as the bastion of Cantonese opera for decades. Since opening its doors in 1972, New Light Theatre became home to numerous productions, fostering local talent and offering performances rich with cultural value. Lee Kwan-ming took over the theatre's operations in 2012, revitalizing it with modern productions and infusing new life and audience engagement through innovative themes, including the surprise hit Trump (粵劇特朗普).
Despite such creativity and initial success, the theatre faced mounting financial pressures. Lee expressed the challenges involved stating, “While ticket sales peaked occasionally, operational costs were always high. Each production could easily run the costs to hundreds of thousands, and we often only filled half our seats.” The dynamic nature of modern entertainment required the theatre to innovate constantly, but the traditionalist nature of Cantonese opera became simultaneously its attraction and its Achilles' heel.
During its last day, crowds gathered to reminisce. Many took photographs as the theatre’s giant neon sign turned off for the final time. The nostalgia among patrons mirrored the sentiments shared by Lee and Tran about the legacy of the theatre. “We hope Lee can find another venue for performances,” remarked actress Chet Ka-yin, reflecting a common sentiment shared among cast members and audience members alike.
This closure not only marks the end of New Light Theatre but also raises concerns about the future of Cantonese opera itself. Although there’s optimism among theatre artists, the uncertainty about venues and funding casts shadows over their hopes for the art form’s survival. Lee insisted, “The spirit of New Light Theatre will continue. Just because the venue closes doesn’t mean the culture dies.”
Despite its storied past, New Light Theatre's closure can be interpreted as part of the broader narrative surrounding arts funding and cultural heritage preservation. Patronage for Cantonese opera has dwindled over the decades, leading to many theatres facing similar fates. “Without adequate venues to perform, we are indirectly stalling cultural growth,” Lee lamented during the ceremony.
His announcements of future plans to find alternate locations for productions left many hopeful. The community remains connected to the art form, thanks to its significant historical weight and cultural identity for locals and descendants.
Though seasoned actors lament the loss, the theatre community is galvanizing efforts to adapt and survive. Recent experiences and connections may enable the art’s survival, fostering opportunities wherever suitable venues become available. “I believe there is hope,” concluded Lee, “as long as we continue to nurture our passion and support the cultural heritage of Cantonese opera.”
While the neon sign of New Light Theatre may flicker off permanently, the essence of what it represented—the heart of Cantonese opera—will resonate within Hong Kong’s cultural fabric as it searches for new stages to light up the future with vibrant performances.