My impression of Yaumatei Theater started in the 70s and 80s in Hong Kong. It is only the outlook of the cinema building that I had seen while passing by bus. I have never been there watching movie until this December that I have the chance to join the guided tour of the Theater. I have a deeper understanding of the history and its transformation to a modern performing theater.Yaumatei Theatre was built in 1930 and its inaugural opening was on 14 June of the same year, providing the residents with the only venue for movies, kung fu and dancing performance. It is the only surviving pre-war cinema building in the urban area in Hong Kong. In the 90s, televisions and internet were so common and popular in most families that the outdated operation of Yaumatei Theater could not meet the rapid change and high demand of the community, eventually causing the close-down of the Theater on 31st July 1998 due to its rapid profit loss. It was accorded a Grade 2 status by the Antiquities Advisory Board in the same year. Yaumatei Theater has both "classicism" and "ornamental art". The most outstanding feature is the two pillars each crafted with both happy and crying masks at the main entrance . The arch door on the stage is also eye-catching. The building was made of materials mostly wood, granite and bricks. The roof has steel arch cover and wooden ridge-poles.
Red Brick Building adjacent to Yaumatei Theatre is a classical British industrial building of over 100 years old which is the only remaining portion of the former Yaumatei Water Plant. Its architecture is full of pragmatism. Its building materials are much stronger and durable than those used for the Theatre. It used the local made red mortar and red bricks specially for constructional purpose. The Red Brick Building retained for its antiquity value is now the administration office and function venue of Yaumatei Theater. It was accorded as Grade 1 status by the Antiquities Advisory Board in 2000. Both the Theater and the Red Brick Building had the inaugural opening on 17th July 2012, providing cultural and recreational activities in the community. Now the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong has taken up the role of passing on the invaluable Chinese art form and cultural heritage of the Staging Cantonese Opera to the younger generation of Cantonese opera artists in this local heritage site, Yaumatei Theater. During the guided tour, many archive photos were displayed and let the audience have a better understanding of the important value of retaining the historical and architectural sites in Hong Kong.
(Photo courtesy of the Antiquities and Monuments Office / Leisure and Cultural Services Department)
Photo equipment:
Nikon D300s, Nikon GP-1 GPS
AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED
Ricoh Digital GR3 28mm f/1.9 (skew mode: for capturing displayed archive photos)
645 PRO for iPhone 5
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我對油麻地戲院的印象始於香港的七、八十年代，祇有乘車經過，熟悉戲院的外貌，始終未有機會進入看電影。我有幸於今年12月返港期間參加了油麻地戲院導賞團，對戱院的歷史和改建成現代化的表演場地大開眼界，印象尤深。
油麻地戲院於1930年落成，並於同年6月14日開幕，為油麻地坊眾提供區內僅有的電影、功夫和舞蹈等表演場地，是香港市區碩果僅存的戰前戲院。九十年代，由於電視及資訊互聯網的普及，油麻地戲院以舊式戲院的營運方式運作而未能配合巿場的需要，導致生意一落千丈，最終於1998年7月31日結業。同年獲古物諮詢委員會評為二級歷史建築。油麻地戲院建築風格集「古典主義」與「裝飾藝術」兩大類，最突出的是正門的兩條門柱，各刻有哭相及笑相的面具。舞台的拱門也具吸引力。建築材料主要用木材、花崗石和磚塊建成。屋頂的桁架以鋼鐡和木檁製成。
紅磚屋在油麻地戲院旁，是逾百年歷史的油麻地抽水站拆剩的一座典型英式工業建築物，具實用主義的建築特色。建築材料比油麻地戲院的更堅固耐用，採用本地生產黏度極強的紅砂漿和耐用的工程專用紅磚。紅磚屋現作文物古蹟保留，成為戲院辦事處和活動中心。2000年獲古物諮詢委員會評定為一級歷史建築。油麻地戲院和紅磚屋於2012年7月17日開幕，為市民提供文娛活動。現成為香港八和會館承傳粵劇舞台藝術、培育年青人學習和演出粵劇的場地。參觀其間，戲院展出部份有關的檔案照片，令參觀者更加了解保留香港文物古蹟的建築和歷史上的重要價值。
(鳴謝: 古物古蹟辦事處 / 康樂及文化事務處)
Yaumatei Theater 油麻地戲院
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| An aerial view of Yaumatei, c.1947. The white building at the centre was Yaumatei Theatre. (archive photo) Nikon D300s, 17-55mm f/2.8 @55mm, f/2.8, 1/60sec, ISO 1000 1947年油麻地鳥瞰圖，中間白色的建築物便是油麻地戲院。（檔案照片） |
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| Yaumatei Theatre, c.1983 (archive photo) Ricoh Digital GR3, 28mm, f/1.9 @6mm, f/1.9, 1/20sec, ISO 200 (skew mode) 1983年的油麻地戲院（檔案照片） |
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| Yaumatei Theatre, c.2003 (archive photo) Ricoh Digital GR3, 28mm, f/1.9 @6mm, f/1.9, 1/25sec, ISO 200 (skew mode) 2003年油麻地戲院（檔案照片） |
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| When the construction workers demolished the red brick wall of the main entrance, they found two stone pillars crafted with masks of crying and happy faces. Nikon D300s, 17-55mm f/2.8 @17mm, f/5.0, 1/30sec, ISO 200 重建工程進行時，工作人員敲破正門的紅磚牆，發現兩根刻有哭相和笑相的面具的石柱。 |
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| The old buildings facing Yaumatei Theatre Nikon D300s, 17-55mm f/2.8 @17mm, f/2.8, 1/3200sec, ISO 1600 透過大堂正門見到油麻地區的舊建築 |
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| Looking outside of the main entrance Nikon D300s, 17-55mm f/2.8 @17mm, f/2.8, 1/3200sec, ISO 1600 玻璃門外 |
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| An arch door was found when the movie screen was pulled down. 645 PRO for iPhone @4mm, f/2.4, 1/15sec, ISO 500 (6 x 17) 在重建工程中，工作人員拆去銀幕後，一個舞台拱門竟然出現眼前。 |
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| Looking down from the stage 645 PRO for iPhone @4mm, f/2.4, 1/15sec, ISO 800 (6 x 17) 從舞台下望 |
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| Seats of musicians Nikon D300s, 17-55mm f/2.8 @17mm, f/2.8, 1/30sec, ISO 640 樂師席位 |
Red Brick Building 紅磚屋
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| The first building of Yaumatei Water Plant was refurnished to become a post office in the 60s. The Red Brick Building is on the right. (photo courtesy of the Antiquities and Monuments Office) 645 PRO for iPhone @4.1mm, f/2.4, 1/15sec, ISO 800 六十年代的油麻地郵政局（由油麻地抽水站第一幢建築物改建而成）。紅磚屋在右方。 |
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| The present outlook of the Red Brick Building Nikon D300s, 17-55mm f/2.8 @17mm, f/5.0, 1/250sec, ISO 200 現時的紅磚屋外貌 |
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| Pitched roof of double layer Chinese clay tiles (archive photo) Ricoh Digital GR3, 28mm, f/1.9 @6mm, f/1.9, 1/35sec, ISO 200 (skew mode) 雙層中式瓦片斜頂（檔案照片） |
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| The wooden blind of the window Nikon D300s, 17-55mm f/2.8 @48mm, f/5.0, 1/100sec, ISO 200 木製百葉窗 |
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| Red brick facade (archive photo) Ricoh Digital GR3, 28mm, f/1.9 @6mm, f/1.9, 1/30sec, ISO 200 (skew mode) 紅牆立面（檔案照片） |
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| Outside view of the arched verandah Nikon D300s, 17-55mm f/2.8 @18mm, f/5.0, 1/500sec, ISO 200 拱形遊廊外貌 |
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| Over more than a hundred years, these red bricks are still strong and durable and display their fresh and new look again after the reconstruction process. Nikon D300s, 17-55mm f/2.8 @38mm, f/5.0, 1/250sec, ISO 200 經過百年來的歳月洗禮，紅磚仍然堅固，活化後再展風姿。 |
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| A building having such a long history with unique architectural value worth a detailed gaze Nikon D300s, 17-55mm f/2.8 @22mm, f/5.0, 1/60sec, ISO 200 細看歷史及建築的痕跡 |
Click to open more photos 點擊更多照片》
Related post "Capturing displayed photos“ 相關帖子「 拍攝展覽照片」》
I resided in a condo across the theatre in the 90's when I was visiting HK. It was a rundown place back then. I'm very happy to see its thoughtful retoration.
ReplyDeleteVery nice pictures. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteNice pictures!THS.
ReplyDeleteI have learned a lot about Yamati Theatre!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Yana.
ReplyDeleteI am a student of Hong Kong PolyU.
I am working on a project with Yau Ma Tei Theatre now, can I use your article and pictures as reference?
Hi Yana, Yes, you can. Wishing you all the success in your project.
DeleteThank you very much!!!
DeleteHi Yana: In case you need further information, please let me know via email.
DeleteHi Peter, Where can I find your email adress?
ReplyDeleteI really want to know what is the 'Social value and local interest' of the theatre. Also I would like to know more about the architecture of this theatre.
Thank you very much again for your help.
Hi Yana, In order to prevent spam and to protect visitor's privacy and email information, I have not put my email here but would like the visitor to use the email form (Contact Me) on the left of this homepage to contact me first. Your group partner Scarlet already did so and received my email for further communication. Thanks.
DeleteHi Yana, the following is only my personal observation of Yaumatei Theatre in the context of social values:
Delete1. it is a venue for "collaboration in creativity"
2. our experience in theatre's power
3. the audience and the performance work together to form a "creative bond"
4. it is a "social force", an influencer and reflector of social values.
5. it is a "personal force": personal commitment, teamwork, community new endeavor, personal satisfaction, self-direction and interpersonal skills etc.
6. it is a combination of many "art forms"
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteNice photos, can I use them for my project:) ?
ReplyDeletePlease contact me via the Contact Form. Thanks.
DeleteHi Peter, how did you get the old achive photos? From AMO? Or LCSD?
ReplyDeleteThese old archive photos were either displayed in the theatre or presented during the guide tour. Permission was given by the guide staff to capture these photographs right on the spot. Therefore names of AMO and LCSD were acknowledged as courtesy.
DeleteThank you!
Delete