Lee started her career as a
Cantonese opera singer on radio and her vocal style eventually became known as the Bo-style.
Lee became an actress in Hong Kong films first in It's Fun Getting Together, a 1954 comedy directed by Chow Sze-Luk. Lee appeared in White Gold Dragon (1954), Third-master Sha, the Heart-Stealer (1954), and How the Scholar Tong Pak-Fu Won the Maid Chau-Heung (1954). Lee appeared as a lead actress in The Scholar Whose Ambition Is to Marry a Princess, a 1955
Cantonese opera film directed by
Wong Tin-Lam, and in The Opera Boat at Star Island (aka The Opera Boat in Singapore), a 1955 Drama film directed by Ku Wen-Chung. Lee also appeared as Princess Iron Fan in The Adventures of Nazha, a 1965 Historical Drama directed by Siu Sang and Miu Hong-Nee. Lee's last film was Night of the Opera Stars (aka Goddess of Mercy Celebrates Her Birthday at Xiang Shan), a 1966 Documentary film directed by Wong Hok-Sing. Lee is credited with over 45 films.[4][5]
Repertoire
Lee earned her the nickname the Mini-
Yim Fun Fong through vocal performances, live on radio as well as albums with Mee Shing (Record) Co. Hong Kong.[2] On stage opposite different co-leads, her choices had been either new debuts or selected from Fong's Repertoire. The female lead had the title role in most of her picks since when a new Troupe was created for her stage performances right before Fong retired. She never played second to or even more junior roles with any female leads on stage.
The Butterfly Lovers opposite
Lam Kar Sing (two versions, quit her career within months and 80 performances overall opposite Lam since the debut of second version)
The Immortal Zhang Yuqiao, the Most Respectable Courtesan (with blessing of
Yim Fun Fong)[3]
How Prince Xinling Stole the General's Seal to Save the State of Zhao (only opposite Ho Fei-Fan), film version released 30 May 1957 in Hong Kong
+ Exceptions out of respect for the very senior male lead upon his return to perform in
Hong Kong. Same occasion, they put Immortal Zhang Yuqiao, the Most Respectable Courtesan back[9] on stage, first time ever since Fong.
Theater Performance
Veteran organizer (
Chinese: 成多娜) created a new test troupe for her stage performances right before Fong retired opposite two young up-and-coming co-leads, similar to the style of Fong who hired different, albeit veteran, male co-leads as and when Fong saw fit.
Lee never played second to any female leads or even more junior roles on stage.
Neither was Lee the original cast of her Repertoire until, years since debut on stage in the very late 1950s, opposite Ho Fei-Fan and others who had decades of experience working with such brand new female co-leads.
1977, with Da Qun Ying Yue Ju Tuan,[10] Kreta Ayer People's Theatre,
Singapore[11]
1978, 6th Hong Kong Arts Festival
- Butterfly Lovers
- War and Never-ending Love by playwright Poon Cheuk
^
abPublication by Hong Kong Urban Council, Chinese Opera Fortnight (1983) : Cantonese opera : Reckeners Cantonese Opera Troupe (aka "Li Qun Yue Ju Tuan")