香港地標與廣東話歌劇的代名詞關閉了大門

週一天黑後，人群擠在香港的北點區的街道上，渴望拍攝Sunbeam Theatre的照片

A landmark Hong Kong venue that became synonymous with Cantonese opera for more than half a century closed its doors in the early hours of Tuesday, as hundreds gathered to watch its neon signs go dark.

一個具有里程碑意義的香港場地，與粵劇的同義半個多世紀，週二凌晨關閉了大門，因為數百人聚集在一起觀看其霓虹燈跡像變黑。

Crowds packed onto the streets of Hong Kong's North Point district after dark on Monday, eager to snap pictures of Sunbeam Theatre.

週一天黑後，人群擠在香港北點區的街道上，渴望拍攝Sunbeam劇院的照片。

It was recognisable from its brightly lit marquee and red neon signs looming over a busy intersection.

它可以從繁忙的十字路口上隱約可見的亮點和紅色霓虹燈跡像中識別出來。

The ornate venue, established in 1972, was the proving ground for generations of performers in the city and mainland China, and was lauded as the "palace" of Cantonese opera.

1972年成立的華麗場所是中國城市和大陸表演者幾代表演者的道理，並被稱為廣東歌劇的“宮殿”。

Its lobby was adorned with calligraphy, a gong and drum for good luck -- as well as 108 round lamps suspended from the ceiling. A coin-operated weighing machine added a dash of whimsy.

它的大廳裝飾著書法，鑼和鼓，為您好運 - 以及從天花板上懸掛的108個圓形燈。硬幣操作的稱重機增加了一點點的異想天開。

"This theatre grew up with us," said neighbourhood resident Franklin Mui, who recalled watching shows there as a teen.

鄰里居民富蘭克林·穆伊（Franklin Mui）說：“這個劇院與我們一起長大。

"I never thought it would close down."

“我從沒想過它會關閉。”

Cantonese opera originated in southern China and became a staple of post-war Hong Kong's cultural life, with its popularity peaking around the 1960s.

廣東話歌劇起源於中國南部，成為戰後香港文化生活的主食，其受歡迎程度在1960年代左右達到頂峰。

A 68-year-old retiree surnamed Pang travelled across town to pay tribute late on Monday, saying the theatre should have been conserved.

週一晚些時候，一名68歲的退休人員居住在城鎮上向致敬，稱該劇院應該得到保存。

"Watching shows at (Sunbeam), you feel close to the actors on stage," she said.

她說：“在（Sunbeam）觀看表演，您會在舞台上與演員接近。”

But with changing tastes, Sunbeam ran into repeated financial trouble and nearly closed in 2012 before playwright Edward Li took it over.

但是隨著口味的變化，Sunbeam遇到了一再的財務麻煩，並在2012年幾乎關閉了，劇作家愛德華·李（Edward Li）接管了它。

The theatre tried to win over younger audiences with modern takes on the art form, including an absurdist tale about US President Donald Trump told in Cantonese opera style.

該劇院試圖以現代的藝術形式贏得年輕的觀眾，其中包括一個關於美國總統唐納德·特朗普（Donald Trump）的荒謬故事。

"(Sunbeam) is a collective memory that Hong Kongers don' value, " Li said in January.

李在一月份說：“（Sunbeam）是香港人沒有價值的集體記憶。”

But he added that the government could have done more to support it.

但他補充說，政府本可以做更多的支持。

"We live in an era when Cantonese opera is at its lowest and closest to death."

“我們生活在一個粵劇最低和最接近死亡的時代。”

At 15 minutes after midnight, following a farewell ceremony in the 1,000-seat auditorium, the lights went out.

午夜後15分鐘，在1000個座位的禮堂舉行了告別儀式後，燈光熄滅了。

The new owners, who acquired the premises last year, plan to convert it into an evangelical church.

去年收購了該場所的新主人計劃將其轉換為福音派教堂。