The Sunbeam Theatre finally approaches its last day on March 3, 2025, after standing tall in Hong Kong for over five decades. Established by Shanghai immigrants in 1972, the privately-owned theatre has been celebrated for its dedication to traditional art forms, particularly Cantonese opera. With the premises now purchased by Island ECC Church, the Sunbeam Theatre is on its way to countdown for closure, symbolising the end of an era.
The theatre’s 20-Year Battle for survival
The theatre has faced several crises, primarily due to land disputes. Since 2005, there have been rumours that the property would be reclaimed, with a chance to be redeveloped as a shopping centre. The land rental contract has also been revised multiple times resulting in significant rent increases. Its survival has been a struggle for 20 years, and in late 2024, it was finally confirmed that this chapter would come to an end.
In these final days, the theatre has been bustling with crowds—not only of opera lovers but also many who have come to capture this historical moment.
What will be missed after its closure
As a historical building, the Sunbeam Theatre retains many unique vintage features. Upon exiting the North Point MTR B1 exit, you’ll notice two neon lights illuminating its name. The interior transports you back to the 1970s, with advertisements adorning the walls and old-style flooring.
Just outside the grand theatre on the first floor, you’ll find a large drum displayed in the corridor, along with a calligraphy couplet written by Mei Baojiu, an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage and a master of Peking Opera.
When lifting your gaze to the ceiling, you’ll discover the significant 108 circular lamps. In Buddhism, it is believed that every person has 108 kinds of troubles. The presence of these lamps symbolizes the hope that audiences can let go of their troubles before watching a play, allowing them to enter the theatre with a calm mind and confront their troubles with the wisdom inspired by the performance.
Mr. Lee, a traveller from Macau, shared his fondest memory of this place. “I remember coming here before and using the weighing machine. It was around HKD$0.20, and you could get a ticket afterward. It’s a bit sad that the machine is currently out of service,” said Lee.
Rather than just capturing the place with photos, some chose to draw it to create a more lasting memory. Joanna, a local artist from Hong Kong, was sitting in the corner sketching the scene. “It’s my first time drawing this place. I always enjoy capturing the unique aspects of Hong Kong. While I sketch, I get to listen to stories shared by people who come to talk to me,” said Joanna.
Private vs. Government-Owned Theatres: A Different Future
As the closure approaches, the discussion regarding the future of Chinese opera has become a central topic. Many worry that with one less theatre available for opera performances, the culture may fade away as well.
Rosanna Law, Secretary of Culture, Sports and Tourism, responded in the Legislative Council on December 28 in regards to this concern. She stated that the government has been allocating funds to increase seating for opera performances, thereby maintaining and enhancing its accessibility and exposure in Hong Kong. For example, the Yau Ma Tei Theatre (opened in 2012), the Grand Theatre and Tea House Theatre of the Xiqu Centre (opened in 2019) were constructed throughout the years to provide an additional 2,000 seats compared to a decade ago, helping to alleviate the issue of inadequate performance spaces.
Several government officials, including the previous Chief Executive, Mrs. Carrie Lam, attended the Xiqu Centre Groundbreaking Ceremony on September 24, 2013. (Photo: Gettyimages)
The government has been actively supporting Chinese opera by constructing more venues to provide a platform for performers. However, booking a spot at Sunbeam Theatre, a privately-owned venue, is much easier and straightforward than reserving one of the government-operated theatres.
In fact, renting a government venue could take seven to twelve months in advance, and there’s no guarantee of success. The reputation of the show and the performers also significantly affects the chances of approval. In other words, the flexibility of Sunbeam Theatre can be more advantageous for smaller performance groups, offering them a valuable platform to showcase their work.
With the Sunbeam Theatre officially closing down, yet another collective memory of Hong Kong will fade away. The church group stated that the space will not only serve as a place of worship but also as a community venue for activities such as ceremonies and performances. However, there have been no comments so far regarding whether the Sunbeam Theatre will remain operational or if any parts of it will be preserved. We look forward to seeing how the discussions between Cantonese opera playwright Edward Li Kui-ming and the new landlord, the Island ECC, regarding its future development will unfold.