Yau Ma Tei Theatre
Yau Ma Tei Theatre
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The area
Neighbourhood: Jordan / Yau Ma Tei
The Jordan and Yau Ma Tei neighbourhood is where you will find some of the more authentic areas of Hong Kong. Not as glamourous or busy as its neighbours Mong Kok to the north or Tsim Sha Tsui to the south, Yau Ma Tei is often mistakenly overlooked by visitors on their trips to Hong Kong. Exploring parts of this area makes you feel like you’ve been transported back in time. A large part of the neighbourhood draws from the rich history of Temple Street, stretching from Jordan to Yau Ma Tei, where a mix of dai pai dongs (outdoor restaurants), market stalls, fortune tellers and old karaoke bars bring out the history and culture of the area. The neighbourhood is a showcase of diversity – different ethnicities, cultures, and a mix of old and new.
How to get there
- Yau Ma Tei • 10 min walk
- Mong Kok • 10 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
23 reviews
Excellent
4
Very good
13
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Brad
Hong Kong, China1,75,414 contributions
Apr 2020
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.
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.
Written 10 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hkvisitor1997
Hong Kong, China515 contributions
Feb 2013
This little theatre was recently renovated, it's main purpose is provide a stage for the dieing Cantonese Opera culture, which had a more than hundred years of history, before the television era, going to the Cantonese Opera was the only entertainment available, it's a long more than 3 and half hour singing show, now most the person appreciated all older folks, maybe the story are too old and the show is too long, the younger generalation just not interested, the main venue the Sunlight theatre in North Point is too expensive of Cantonese Opera artist to make ends meet, leasing term are limited,
so when this theatre come along, put a little life to this Cantonese opera thing, now most the performers are amateur or students, with limited seats, not profitable for a well known artist to perform here, Hong Kong have other places can perform the Opera, yet just let it sit and wasted,or they might think, this World City should not include the Cantonese Opera in it's name, people might laught, it's out of trend.
so when this theatre come along, put a little life to this Cantonese opera thing, now most the performers are amateur or students, with limited seats, not profitable for a well known artist to perform here, Hong Kong have other places can perform the Opera, yet just let it sit and wasted,or they might think, this World City should not include the Cantonese Opera in it's name, people might laught, it's out of trend.
Written 28 February 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China1,75,414 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
The Yaumatei Theatre is a historical building in Hong Kong, having opened in 1930 and offering performances until its closure in the late 1990s. In attention to it being a attraction of historical significance, it is nice to note that the Yaumatei Theatre has recently been reopened and is now showing Cantonese Opera performances, regularly again. This makes it a nice consideration for those interested in seeing a local performance while visiting the city.
There is now some information on the Discovery Hong Kong Website about the reopening of the Yaumatei Theatre and performance tickets are available online or you can buy then at the ticket counter inside the theatre. Yaumatei Theatre is on Waterloo Road and Reclamation Street, about 5 minutes walk from the Ya Ma Tei MTR.
While in the area of Ya Ma Tei, you might also want to pop into the Ya Ma Tei Fruit Market, which is just across the street, for a quick visit. You can also visit the famous Jade Market and Temple Street Night Market as well as the Tin Hau temple where you can see the very nice 'Nine-Dragon Wall'. There is also an interesting Hong Kong International Hobby and Toy museum which opened last year, found on Shanghai Street, near Ya Ma Tei MTR exit C.
There is now some information on the Discovery Hong Kong Website about the reopening of the Yaumatei Theatre and performance tickets are available online or you can buy then at the ticket counter inside the theatre. Yaumatei Theatre is on Waterloo Road and Reclamation Street, about 5 minutes walk from the Ya Ma Tei MTR.
While in the area of Ya Ma Tei, you might also want to pop into the Ya Ma Tei Fruit Market, which is just across the street, for a quick visit. You can also visit the famous Jade Market and Temple Street Night Market as well as the Tin Hau temple where you can see the very nice 'Nine-Dragon Wall'. There is also an interesting Hong Kong International Hobby and Toy museum which opened last year, found on Shanghai Street, near Ya Ma Tei MTR exit C.
Written 14 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VancouverHome
Portland, OR11 contributions
Oct 2019
Cheap tickets and authentic live performances in an historic theatre. The area itself is very interesting with great food options. There is a “reclaimed” street of old school Hong Kong dwellings nearby, a bustling market, and a street full of kitchen ware vendors that is worth exploring nearby as well. We loved hearing young and talented performers sing their hearts out in a tuneful, tragic opera with live orchestra. A can’t miss experience for opera fans of any persuasion.
Written 3 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
moniker11
Kowloon401 contributions
Mar 2013 • Solo
This is a wonderful location in which to see Cantonese opera. The size of the theater is very small, only a few hundred seats and all are on the one level, no balcony. The stage is quite close and the orchestra is situated in front of and below the stage. The sound is ampflied and clear. There was a set on either side of the stage which used lights to give a synopsis in English as well as line by line in Chinese. This makes the performance accessible to non-Cantonese speakers. I liked many aspects of the theater. The biggest downside was it set off my allergiesI had to wonder if there were a large number of cats who lived there after hours or if the theater was extremely dusty. If you take an antihistamine before you go along with plenty of tissues and your inhaler, if you have one, you'll probably be OK.
Written 10 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
livingroundtheworld
1,077 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
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.
Written 20 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ILikeToTravelEveryWhere
London, UK1,080 contributions
Nov 2016 • Solo
This is the place to see historical theater plays hong kong style.
If you want culture then this is it.
Old traditional plays way before any cinemas came in to existence
If you want culture then this is it.
Old traditional plays way before any cinemas came in to existence
Written 26 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HKeater
Singapore, Singapore33,144 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
Grade 2 listed building together with the red brick building acting as the administrative centre and gift shop.
A place for Canto Opera which is an acquired taste. Local budding amateurs and enthusiasts do perform here. So be warned.
A place for Canto Opera which is an acquired taste. Local budding amateurs and enthusiasts do perform here. So be warned.
Written 4 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kris C
49 contributions
Nov 2015 • Solo
I loved this place! I took a chance on going to this theatre because I wanted to experience a different side Hong Kong. The experience was definitely different from watching western musicals, but it was interesting.
I didn't understand a word but thankfully the theatre staff provided me with an English translated summary of the story scene by scene so I didn't get that lost.
I didn't understand a word but thankfully the theatre staff provided me with an English translated summary of the story scene by scene so I didn't get that lost.
Written 7 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Quack H
HONG KONG2,689 contributions
Jun 2016 • Solo
I pass by Yaumatei Theatre and noticed that it has a new face lift and turned into an Canto Opera House. Not particularly appealing to me but worth going if you are in Yau Ma Tei.
Written 7 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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