Curated and produced by International Association of Theatre Critics (Hong Kong) (IATC(HK))

This programme aims to revitalise the treasures of original theatrical creations of Hong Kong with a brand-new approach. The series begins with retracing the history of local theatrical creations, and then provides analysis on the remarkable scripts through sharing by the playwrights and the critics. Multi-disciplinary artists revisit the meaning of the classics in the contemporary world and explore possibilities from their perspectives.

The content of this programme is protected by copyright. Unauthorised photography and screen capture are not allowed. 

In Cantonese.

The programme does not represent the views of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

The presenter reserves the right to vary the broadcast time of the programme.

(Information provided by the arts group)

Founded in 1992, the International Association of Theatre Critics (Hong Kong) (IATC(HK)) is currently a 3-year grantee of Hong Kong Arts Development Council . With the objection of developing excellence in theatre criticism and documenting the history of performing arts, IATC(HK) is dedicated to promotion and education of performing arts documentation in recent years. Their recent project A Snap beyond Borders: An Online Archive and Education Project of Hong Kong Theatre and Performance Photography has won the Award for Arts Promotion and Education at the 16th Hong Kong Arts Development Awards.
 

(Information provided by the arts group)

Episode 1: Prologue (Available from 22 February)
Bernice CHAN, Curator of the programme, introduces the background of the series and the significance of revitalising performing arts productions. She also highlights the development of original theatrical productions in the late 1980’s to 1990’s as well as how energies of different artists were converged to open up the interpretation of original scripts.
 

Episode 2: The Dark Tales•Practice Session: Suspended Rehearsals for Parting (Available from 1 Mar)

Playwright Raymond TO recalls the background of creating The Dark Tales and his collaboration with Wan Chai Theatre. Critics TANG Ching-kin and LO Yee-king share the characteristic features of the script. Rose LI Zi-rui, a multi-disciplinary artist invited by soundpocket, creates Practice Session: Suspended Rehearsals for Parting, which she explores three less portrayed characters of The Dark Tales with Cantonese opera actress LEUNG Fei-tung.

The Dark Tales
Playwright: Raymond TO
Critics: TANG Ching-kin, LO Yee-king

Practice Session: Suspended Rehearsals for Parting
Concept/ Creation: Rose LI Zi-rui
Performer: LEUNG Fei-tung
In collaboration with soundpocket

About the multi-disciplinary artist
Rose LI Zi-rui holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Chinese University of Hong Kong with a major in Fine Arts and a minor in Philosophy. She also completed the course at the Cantonese Opera Academy of Hong Kong. Since 2014, she has been on the cast of ‘the Cantonese Opera Young Talent Showcase’, performing dan (female) roles. She is also a practice-based PhD candidate conducting research on creative works at the Academy of Visual Arts of the Hong Kong Baptist University. Her works and research are based on Chinese traditional theatre, with focus on exploring the mutually inspiring possibilities of Cantonese opera and contemporary art.

About soundpocket
A registered charity founded in 2008, soundpocket promotes the art of sound and listening and its research and education in Hong Kong.

(Information provided by the arts group)

Episode 3: The Isle • Triptych (Available from 8 Mar)

Playwright POON Wai-sum shares how he was touched by the characters who believed in their faith in the play. Critics CHEUNG Ping-kuen and SIU Sin-yi share their thoughts on why people were touched by this script. FUNG Kwok-kee,Gabriel, multi-disciplinary artist, reveals his feelings on the script through Triptych written by LIN Pei-chun, Paige and performed by LAU Chun-him.

The Isle
Playwright: POON Wai-sum
Critics: CHEUNG Ping-kuen, SIU Sin-yi

Triptych
Concept/ Creation: FUNG Kwok-kee, Gabriel
Concept/ Text: LIN Pei-chun, Paige
Performer/ Voice: LAU Chun-him

About the multi-disciplinary artist
FUNG Kwok-kee, Gabriel is a lighting designer, director, actor and percussionist. He graduated from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and completed the Master of Fine Arts from the Department of Communication, Hong Kong Baptist University, majoring in directing. He has been engaged in lighting productions for dance, drama, opera, traditional Chinese theatre etc. He is a multiple awardee and nominee for the Hong Kong Dance Awards and Hong Kong Drama Awards.

(Information provided by the arts group)

Episode 4: The Legend of a Storyteller•The Travel of Blade and Time (Available from 15 Mar)

In this episode, playwright CHEUNG Tat-ming shares the significance of this play in his career of theatrical creation, while critics LO Wai-luk and KONG Kei-wing share their appreciation on the transcendent vision of the script. Multi-disciplinary artist PAK Sheung-chuen is impressed by the dynamics in the script and extends his imaginations with video director CHAN Sheung-shing.

The Legend of a Storyteller
Playwright: CHEUNG Tat-ming
Critics: LO Wai-luk and KONG Kei-wing

The Travel of Blade and Time
Concept/ Creation/ Video directors: PAK Sheung-chuen, CHAN Sheung-shing.

About the multi-disciplinary artists
PAK Sheung-chuen was born in Fujian and moved to Hong Kong since 1984. He graduated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong with a major in Fine Arts and a minor in Theology. His creations cover photography, painting, installation, performance art, video, sculpture and conceptual art regarding the connection between people, cities and nature. 

CHAN Sheung-shing, a playwright and director who was born in Hong Kong. His video works include Angela, Below the Lion Rock - Manchi, Béthanie, Dingfungbo, and The Moviegoer.

(Information provided by the arts group)