Helen Kwan Yee Cheung, a 2013 M.A. University of Alberta graduate, pursued studying the Chinese community history in Edmonton through the lens of Cantonese Opera. She found that Cantonese Opera had elements of several social functions: cultural entertainment, philanthropy, and homeland politics. In this audio story, Helen talks about Cantonese Opera providing cultural entertainment not only for the viewers/listeners, but also for the performers.

Interview and editing by Scott Bell. This documentary was produced as part of a Community Service Learning project at the University of Alberta. It is part of a multimedia project capturing the history of Edmonton's Chinatown, called Figure 一,二,三,六,八.

This piece features a public domain recording of "White Hibiscus at Night," performed by Cantonese Opera star Peony Su. More info: archive.org/details/Peony_Su_Wh…e_Hibiscus_At_Night