2021.06.30
「困谷」這段排場，經常被套用在不同的演出中，例如：由麥炳榮、余麗珍主演及李少芸編劇的《枇杷山上英雄血》中的一場慘戰就是套用了「困谷」排場。劇中打五更的過程中，飾演元帥的小武，除了開打場面外，還要邊打邊唱《困谷》牌子，打一段、唱一段，做手繁多，可謂是南派小武的「考牌戲」。
元帥與藩邦打仗，最初打勝仗，但後中藩王詭計，被困在葫蘆谷。藩將更用火攻，元帥唯有苦戰，由初更打到五更。直到五更，才能衝出重圍脫危境，最後領救兵回師再戰，勝利告終。
Traditional Set Pieces and Excerpts from Formulaic Plays in Cantonese Opera
Trapped in Calabash Valley
Presented by: Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Produced by: The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong
Platform: YouTube
Link: https://youtu.be/Gr6EJInsp60
Synopsis: Trapped in Calabash Valley is a formulaic presentation often adapted for use in different plays, such as the fierce battle scene in A Hero’s Blood on Mount Pipa written by Lee Siu-wan, starring Mak Ping-wing and Yu Lai-chun. With the plot of The Fifth Watch Sounds, the marshal has to demonstrate his martial art skills, and while fighting, needs to sing the set tune of Trapped in Calabash Valley and deliver intricate hand gestures. This play is known as a ‘test piece’ for actors in xiaowu (young military male) of the Southern school of Cantonese Opera.
The marshal is in battle against the barbarian invaders, and has been winning at the beginning, but later on he falls victim to the stratagem of the King of the enemy side and is trapped in Calabash Valley. His camp is also under a fire attack. He has no choice but to put up a desperate fight lasting from early evening till the fifth strike of the watch (around 3 am). He manages to break out of the encirclement, and eventually returns with reinforcement and wins the battle.
Series: Traditional Set Pieces and Excerpts from Formulaic Plays in Cantonese Opera
Scheme/ Festival: Click for Arts
Art Form: Xiqu
Artistic Director: Law Ka-ying, Lung Koon-tin
Cast: Leung Siu-ming, Hong Hai
