Radio_Hong_Kong_1970-1971 — Page 9

formances of Radio Hong Kong's Lung Cheung Opera Company, which was first formed in 1968. Due to the popularity which the Opera Company enjoyed throughout the Colony the performances, which are co-sponsored by the Urban Council were increased from 4 times a month to up to 7 times a month. In addition to the regular performances, the Company also staged a series of operatic shows at the City Hall Concert Hall on four consecutive evenings from 27th April, 1970. The house was packed out each evening. The Opera Company also showed the flag for Radio Hong Kong when it helped to publicize the 30th and 34th Government Lotteries, which were drawn on 6th June, 1970 and 29th August, 1970 respectively. As a result of the efforts put in by Radio Hong Kong on these two occasions, the total sales of the two lotteries hit a record that year.

10. A more signal mark of the popularity of the Lung Cheung Opera Company was indicated by the honour paid to them when its musicians, headed by Mr. Lo Kar-chi, were invited to Expo' 70 at Osaka to give a series of public performances at the Hong Kong Pavilion from 13th July to 8th August.

11. The Lung Cheung Opera Company's first long playing record 'Dream in the Peony Pavilion', produced in 1969 was followed by a second one which went on the market in October 1970. This one, "The Test of Love', was sold out within only 3 weeks of issue. A third LP record of modern Mandarin songs sung by Radio Hong Kong's artists and produced by the Entertainment Section, was recorded in March 1971.

Topical Events

12. The daily News Magazine Programme Topical Events' con- tinued with two daily editions and concentrated on outside interviews. The programme covered a wider range of news items of interest to the public and also served as a vehicle for publicizing government policies and functions as well as activities of public institutions and civic organizations. The team of "Topical Events' reporters was on the alert day and night to give broadcast coverage of any special happenings or major calamities such as fires, floods and serious traffic accidents. The aim is always to provide the public with up-to-date information at the first available opportunity.

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