一个具有里程碑意义的香港场地，在半个多世纪以来，它成为广东话歌剧的代名词

周一天黑后，人群挤在香港的北点区的街道上，渴望拍摄Sunbeam Theatre的照片

A landmark Hong Kong venue that became synonymous with Cantonese opera over more than half a century closed its doors early Tuesday, with hundreds gathering to watch its neon signs go dark.

一个具有里程碑意义的香港场地，在半个多世纪的时间内成为广东话歌剧的代名词，周二早些时候关闭了大门，数百人聚集以观看其霓虹灯迹象变黑。

The Sunbeam Theatre in the North Point district was a familiar sight to drivers and pedestrians at a busy intersection, where its marquee and red lanterns were lit throughout the day and night.

北点区的阳光剧院对忙碌的十字路口的驾驶员和行人来说是一个熟悉的景象，在那里，它的侯爵夫人和红色灯笼在整个白天和黑夜都被点燃。

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

华丽的剧院成立于1972年，是中国城市和大陆表演者几代人的遗嘱，并被称为广东歌剧的“宫殿”。

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.

它的大厅装饰着书法，锣和鼓，为您好运 - 以及从天花板上悬挂的108个圆形灯。硬币操作的称重机增加了一点点的异想天开。

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

邻里居民富兰克林·穆伊（Franklin Mui）说：“这个剧院与我们一起长大。

"I never thought it would close down."

“我从没想过它会关闭。”

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.

广东话歌剧起源于中国南部，成为战后香港文化生活的主食，其受欢迎程度在1960年代左右达到顶峰。

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

周一晚些时候，一名68岁的退休人员居住在城镇上向致敬，称该剧院应该得到保存。

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

她说：“在（Sunbeam）观看表演，您会在舞台上与演员接近。”

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

但是随着口味的变化，Sunbeam遇到了一再的财务麻烦，并在2012年几乎关闭了，剧作家爱德华·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.

该剧院试图以现代的艺术形式赢得年轻的观众，其中包括一个关于美国总统唐纳德·特朗普（Donald Trump）的荒谬故事。

"(Sunbeam) is a collective memory that Hong Kongers don't want to give up," Li told AFP in January.

李在一月份对法新社说：“（Sunbeam）是香港人不想放弃的集体记忆。”

But he acknowledged that the theatre's heyday was behind it, adding that the government could have done more to support it.

但是他承认剧院的鼎盛时期是背后的，并补充说，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."

“我们生活在一个粤剧最低和最接近死亡的时代。”

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

午夜后15分钟，在1000个座位的礼堂举行了告别仪式后，灯光熄灭了。

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

去年收购了该场所的新主人计划将其转换为福音派教堂。