As Sunbeam Theatre, Hong Kong’s iconic Cantonese opera landmark, prepares to close its doors on March 3, 2025, its physical presence may be fading, but its cultural legacy will live on.
To ensure that this historic venue continues to be accessible in the digital era, Union Communications Hong Kong Limited ("Union Comm") has launched a VR cultural preservation project, leveraging advanced digital technology to document and preserve the theatre’s rich history and architectural beauty, ensuring that its legacy remains alive for future generations.
As a public interest initiative, the VR experience will officially launch on the Sunbeam Theatre website on March 3, 2025. Through an immersive 720-degree VR tour, the public will be able to explore the theatre’s grand lobby, stage, audience seating, dressing rooms, and historical exhibits, experiencing the charm anytime, anywhere. Link: http://www.sunbeamtheatre.com/hk/vr.php
This VR cultural preservation project goes beyond merely digitizing the theatre’s physical structure; it meticulously preserves its historical and cultural significance. Through the VR experience, audiences can explore some of the theatre’s most treasured historical elements, including the Huaguang Shrine, an essential fixture in Cantonese opera troupes. Traditionally, performers pay tribute at the shrine before every show to seek blessings for a smooth performance. In addition, the VR tour showcases handwritten calligraphy from legendary opera artists, such as Hung Sin Nui, Mei Baojiu, and Shang Changrong, highlighting the deep connection between Cantonese and Peking opera traditions. The tour also features an authentic inscription from Empress Dowager Cixi.
Beyond its theatrical heritage, the VR tour captures the theatre’s architectural history and symbolic elements. One of its most recognizable features is the 108 vintage “bubble lights” in the lobby ceiling, which have remained unchanged since 1972. These lights symbolize the Buddhist belief in 108 worldly afflictions, reminding audiences that wisdom from the stage can offer guidance in life’s challenges. The VR experience also brings Hong Kong’s cinematic golden era to life, featuring a vintage film projector, reels, and classic theatre tickets preserved on the theatre’s second floor. With interactive hotspots embedded throughout the VR experience, visitors can dive deeper into each cultural and historical detail, allowing them not only to see Sunbeam Theatre but to understand its profound cultural significance.
Inclusive VR Experience
The VR experience, designed to be inclusive and easily accessible, allows users to explore the venue’s stage, audience seating, and historical exhibits without requiring specialized VR equipment. The web-based platform ensures that even elderly users can navigate the virtual theatre seamlessly on a computer or mobile device. Please refer to the image below in Traditional Chinese for a step-by-step guide on how to access and navigate the VR experience on the website.
For 53 years, Sunbeam Theatre has been a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s Cantonese opera and cinematic heritage. It holds profound cultural significance, as Cantonese opera was designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009, making it a world-class intangible cultural heritage of Hong Kong. Recognizing the cultural urgency of preserving this historic venue, Union Comm mobilized its resources to digitally archive the theatre’s interior, ambiance, and historical significance through advanced VR technologies.
"Sunbeam Theatre is more than just a venue; it is a living testament to Hong Kong’s rich performing arts tradition. Through this VR project, we aim to safeguard this cultural icon and make it accessible for future generations," said Sam Han, partner and director of Union Comm.
Union Comm urges government agencies, cultural organizations, and private enterprises in Hong Kong to invest in digital heritage preservation. This project demonstrates that with rapid action and cross-sector collaboration, it is possible to safeguard historical landmarks that might otherwise be lost.
"If we do not act now, our cultural landmarks and cultural heritages in Hong Kong may fade away. This VR project is just the beginning, we hope it will inspire further efforts to digitally archive and protect Hong Kong’s rich heritage," Han added.
As a policy advocacy and communications agency, Union Comm has long been committed to digital inclusion and cultural preservation, participating in global initiatives such as ITU, APEC, and BRICS to advocate for Tech for Good. This year, the company is also leading an APEC research project on digital technology empowerment for the senior citizens, reinforcing its mission to bridge the digital divide.
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