The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC) extends its warmest congratulations to its One-Year Grantee -- Jingkun Theatre for winning the Prix Spécial du Jury in the 3 rd Traditional Chinese Opera Festival in Paris.

The Prix Spécial du Jury was conferred to the Jingkun Theatre for their performance of "La Maison Wulong", a Peking Opera, at the Festival held from 12 to 18 November. The Best Actor Award went to Mr Geng Tian-yuan, Director/Actor of the Jingkun Theatre, for his excellent performance as "Sung Jiang" in the play.

According to Mr Jean-Pierre Wurtz, President of the Jury of the Festival, the jury was bowled over by the performance, which respresents the true tradition of Peking Opera. "It is a recognition of the outstanding quality of a dramatic performance, which the jury found compelling and utterly ‘seductive', a performance which went straight to the hearts of the jury." Mr Wurtz said.

The ADC praised the significant achievement of the Jingkun Theatre and its artistic director Ms Tang Yuen-ha for her contribution to promote the development of chinese xiqu locally and internationally. Mr Ma Fung-kwok, Chairman of the ADC, said "the Award is a further recognition to the artistic accomplishment of the Jingkun Theatre. On the same token, it also gives a tremendous boost to local arts groups and arts practitioners."

Ms Tang Yuen-ha founded the Jingkun Theatre in 1986 with an aim to develop the art of Jingqu and Kunqu. She is the recipient of the Chinese Theatre Plum-blossom Award (China's most prestigious award for theatre workers) and won the Best Performance Award in the 3rd National Peking Opera Festival. The Jingkun Theatre has started receiving the ADC's support since 1998.

The 3rd Traditional Chinese Opera Festival is jointly organised by the Chinese Cultural Centre (Paris), Ministry of Culture and the Municipal Government of Paris. In addition to the Jingkun Theatre, five other theatre companies from China took part in the Festival.