EdUHK Releases Survey Results of Audience Views on Cantonese Opera Performances in Hong Kong
The Research Centre for Transmission of Cantonese Opera (RCTCO) at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) today (20 April) released the results of a survey on the motivating factors for watching Cantonese opera performances in Hong Kong. Based on the findings, the RCTCO team attempts to identify ways to broaden the audience base for Cantonese Opera performances, and increase the attendance rate to help preserve this invaluable art form.
Funded by the University Grants Committee’s Research Matching Grant Scheme, RCTCO conducted a survey of more than 3,000 people in early 2022 to understand their reasons and preferences for attending Cantonese opera performances. The survey found that the audience was composed mainly of elders, females and those not in employment. Among the respondents, 57% said they did not have the habit of watching Cantonese operas, whereas 33% said they watched it one to three times a month. About 10% watched four times or more a month.
The respondents were also asked to rate nine motivating factors for buying a ticket, on a scale of 1 to 7, with higher scores indicating greater importance. The top four motivating factors for ticket purchase were quality, content, personal preferences and ambience. By age group, those aged 30 or below accorded top importance to content, while those aged between 31 and 59, and those over 60 opted for quality. Cantonese opera-goers were also concerned about the ambience of the venues and the duration of the shows.
Professor Leung Bo-wah, Director of RCTCO, believes that most Cantonese opera-goers hope to support the development of this unique art form in the city. To expand the target audience base for better transmission of Cantonese opera, Professor Leung said, “Artists and troupe hosts should focus more on enhancing the quality of performances, and they may also consider shortening the shows. On the part of the authorities, more efforts could be made to enhance the ambience and environment of the performing venues to attract new audiences.”
Details of the ‘Survey of Audience Views on Cantonese Opera Performances in Hong Kong’ can be found at https://www.eduhk.hk/rctco/eng/index.php.
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Appendix:
| Respondents: | 3,447 |
| Age group | |
| 30 or below: | 29% |
| 31 to 59: | 34.8% |
| 60 or above: | 36% |
Considerations for watching Cantonese opera by age (on a scale of 1 to 7):
| Personal | Promotion | Venue | Performance quality | Performance content | |
| 30 or below | 3.78 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 4.09 | 4.52 |
| 31 to 59 | 4.38 | 3.98 | 4.3 | 5.05 | 4.65 |
| 60 or above | 5.16 | 4.07 | 4.51 | 5.73 | 4.74 |
| Environment | Duration | Ticket price | Social | |
| 30 or below | 4.06 | 3.93 | 4.09 | 3.05 |
| 31 to 59 | 4.42 | 4.08 | 4.17 | 3.12 |
| 60 or above | 4.58 | 4.46 | 4.43 | 2.87 |
EdUHK Releases Survey Results of Audience Views on Cantonese Opera Performances in Hong Kong
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