Yau Ma Tei Theatre

The Yau Ma Tei Theatre was built in 1930 and is the oldest surviving pre-WWII theatre in Hong Kong. During its heyday, this was also the largest theatre house in Kowloon. It is a Grade II historical property that remained in operation until 1998 before being closed. The historic theatre house was restored and reopened in 2012 and is now a venue where you can watch Cantonese opera performances. Tickets available through box office at the Yau Ma Tei Theatre or through the URBTIX website. The building is architecturally interesting from the outside. It includes a simple Art Deco facade, Dutch gable walls and two decorative columns fronting the theatre interest.

Very interesting experience. Helps one to better understand Chinese culture.

Visited the theater tonight (11/30/2019) to see the Cantonese Opera. The theater location is convenient, service is good, seats are clean. However, the air condition temperature in the auditorium is way too cold (freezing). Almost everyone in the auditorium are wearing jackets, some thick some thin. I had to inform the supervisor to lower the A/C temperature. I was from San Francisco and get used to cold temperature (2-10C degree) still can’t stand the temperature in the auditorium.

A tiny venue in today's view, the renovated theater was originally built 80+ years ago. It has a special atmosphere which is very different from the new venues built in recent years.

It was not much to look at but this historic building is the only surviving pre-war cinema building in the urban area of Hong Kong. We wandered around the small lobby and learnt that it has become a venue dedicated to Cantonese opera. We were told some of the theater's interior were original.

If you are in the Yau Ma Tei area and you are a history buff, then walk over to this area to see two historic buildings, the Red Brick Building is built in 1895 and the Yau MA Tei Theatre is newer and is a working theatre for Cantonese opera. The Red Brick Building is in used so entrance is restricted. The theatre is in operation so you may check their programme if you are interested in catching an opera.

It was a grave mistake and wrong decision to convert an old cinema for movies into a theatre for Cantonese opera performances. That's exactly why a major redevelopment, modification or expansion project is to commence soon to make up for the existing shortcomings.

Built around 1930, Yau Ma Tei Theatre is probably the only surviving pre-World War II cinema premises in Kowloon. It was one of the precursors in the film industry. In its early days it featured silent films before 1935 when sound movies were not introduced to the industry. Over the years, the Theatre had long been targeting at the grassroots because the area was a community consisted of lower class people such as coolies working in the adjacent Wholesale Fruit Market and boat people living in the nearby typhoon shelter. The Theatre is a pitched roof single-storey building consisting of a long auditorium with a two-storey entrance hall or foyer and projection room at the front facing Waterloo Road. Interesting architectural features are the gables and the front pediment which is decorated by art deco adornments. (AMO)

Yau Ma Tei Theatre, historic building, traditional arts performance. Everytime I go to Broadway Cinematheque for a meal or a movie, I always pass by Yau Ma Tei Theatre. It is historic building, just like those buildings I see in the movies and photography of the 1930s. I quite like it just because of its appearance. It's also used to be a movie theatre, the audiences can watch the hottest and most popular films here. But now you can only watch Cantonese opera here. I think it is good, there are different movie cinemas in the market, we don't need one more at Yau Ma Tei. Yau Ma Tei Theatre is very old, just like a grandpa in a family. So I think it's a good change, now It can still do someting for the traditional arts. As the young generation, we need respect the tradition, and at least know a little bit about the traditional arts. Now Yau Ma Tei Theatre provides us a good opportunity to learn and watch traditional Cantonese opera. Thanks grandpa, you are a good spirit, and I think the young will never forget about you and the traditional arts.