Mr Lam Kar Sing

1933-2015

Actor

Born Lam Man Shun, actor and opera artist Lam Kar Sing was trained in Cantonese opera from an early age. During the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, he dropped out of school and learned the skills of performing ancient extravagant acts from Chiu Lan Fong at her opera school. Six months later, he appeared on stage as a child prodigy. Lam made his screen debut at age 14 in Prostituting to Raise the Orphan (1947) and, at 16, was admitted as a disciple of the celebrated opera master Sit Kok Sin. Lam founded Kok Sing Opera Troupe in 1956, specialising in performing Sit Kok Sin’s well-known operas Why Not Return? (1958) and A Scholar Becomes Rich (1958). Lam is widely recognised as the inheritor of Sit’s operatic art. He appeared in 310 movies throughout his career, from Cantonese opera films to martial arts films. Memorable titles include The Invincible Yeung Generals (1961), The Birth of Nazha (1962), The Prince and Two Queens (1963), Parents’ Hearts (1955), Inspectress General (1961), The Dutiful Daughter Ch Chu (1966); as well as adaptations of his opera classics such as Drums Along the Battlefield (1963) and The Revenge Battle (1964). Lam held a farewell performance in 1993 and, after retiring from the stage, devoted his time to Cantonese opera promotion and education. In 1981, he was awarded the BH Honorary Medal. In 2000, he received the Xiqu Life Achievement Award from the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. Lam was honoured with a Bronze Bauhinia Star by the Hong Kong Government in 2005 for his contribution to the art of Cantonese opera.