WestK x HKRep x HSBC Life present The Impossible Trial – a musical

WestK x HKRep x HSBC Life present The Impossible Trial – a musical
 
returns to Hong Kong with acclaim third run of 30 performances

 
【HKRep】The Impossible Trial – a musical, the first original Cantonese musical commissioned by WestK, co-presented and co-produced with HKRep, has made a triumphant return to Hong Kong. The musical features a top-notch creative team, including composer and musical director Leon Ko, lyricist Chris Shum, playwright Cheung Fei Fan, director Fong Chun Kit, staging director and choreographer Ivanhoe Lam, scenographer Wong Yat Kwan, as well as main cast members Lau Shau Ching, Leung Chung Hang, Jordan Cheng, Ronny Yuen, Tunes Ting, Sheena Chan, Clinton Zhang, Christopher Ying and more, alongside the live band performance. The musical successfully concluded its first-ever tour to Shanghai and Beijing in June and July, respectively, and returns to Hong Kong as the final stop, commencing its highly anticipated third run, which will run until September 10 at the Xiqu Centre in WestK.
 
A cocktail reception for the third run of the musical in Hong Kong was hosted yesterday (14 August) by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, The Hong Kong Repertory Theatre and HSBC Life at the Xiqu Centre. The cocktail reception was attended by over 100 distinguished guests. Officiating guests include Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Jat Sew-tong, Chairman of the Performing Arts Committee of WKCDA; Wendy Gan, Acting Chief Executive Officer of WKCDA; Paul Chan, Acting Chairman of HKRep; Daisy Tsang, CEO of HSBC Life Hong Kong and Macau; Paul Tam, Executive Director, Performing Arts of WKCDA; Poon Wai Sum, Artistic Director of HKRep; and Joyce Ho, Chief Corporate Development Officer of WKCDA. Following the reception, guests joined the audience to enjoy a captivating performance of The Impossible Trial.
 
The musical tells the story of Fong Tong Geng, Guangdong’s most prominent advocate, who is known for his greed and malice. However, at the height of his career, heaven deals Fong a blow and his reputation and wealth vanish overnight. Haunted by the bitter ghost of a childhood friend, Fong fights his way back to the magistracy to right his wrongs and redeem himself as the champion of the common man. 
 
Since its premiere in 2022, re-run in 2023, and Mainland tour in 2025, The Impossible Trial – a musical has staged over 50 performances to date and garnered nearly 30 prestigious awards from musical theatre ceremonies in Hong Kong and Mainland China, reaching new heights for an original Chinese musical. In mid-June this year, the musical kicked off its Mainland tour, extending its streak of success. The highly acclaimed Shanghai and Beijing runs with a total of 23 sold-out shows attracted an audience of over 35,000, setting a new record for both performance count and audience attendance achieved by a Hong Kong musical touring in the Mainland. The musical is making a strong return home this month, with additional shows bringing the total to 30 performances, yet tickets remain hard to get. The tickets released at different stages were sold out at record speed, whether they were tickets for early bird sales, public release, or those added recently. The Impossible Trial’s continued success affirms the exceptional appeal of this production. A brand-new cast combination featuring both new and original members will perform in the 10 newly added shows in Hong Kong rerun, igniting new creative sparks.
 
The Impossible Trial features intricate and poignant emotions, with a thought-provoking storyline and diverse musical styles, including Cantonese opera, nursery rhymes, waltz, classical, 1920s’ Broadway style, ballads, rock, pop folk songs and Buddhist music. The stage design integrates classical and modern aesthetics, showcasing Hong Kong’s unique artistic fusion, while articulating the distinctive features of the Lingnan arts and cultures, making this musical a rare gem in promoting the excellence of the traditional Chinese culture in recent years.
 
To sustain the momentum of The Impossible Trial, WestK Performing Arts has invited well-known Hong Kong singer-songwriter and actor Louis Cheung to reinterpret one of the musical’s signature songs, The World in a Grain of Rice. Blending elements of Buddhist music with lyrics rich in Buddhist philosophy, The World in a Grain of Rice traces the main character Ah Sai’s transformation and awakening during his journey of reflection. Cheung’s fresh interpretation infuses the piece with a pop sensibility, evoking emotional resonance and echoing the profound introspection on life at the heart of The Impossible Trial, while aiming to raise awareness and garner public support towards Hong Kong’s original musicals.
 
Jat Sew-tong, Chairman of the Performing Arts Committee, WKCDA, said, “Since its premiere, The Impossible Trial has earned enthusiastic acclaim from audiences and industry professionals alike, including its 23-show run in Shanghai and Beijing this June and July, which drew a remarkable audience of over 35,000. This third run at the Xiqu Centre not only highlights the distinctive appeal of original Hong Kong musicals but also lays a strong foundation for the upcoming WestK Performing Arts Centre, which will spotlight large-scale productions. We look forward to seeing The Impossible Trial venture to even more cities, making its mark on the international stage and establishing itself as a globally recognised classic of Hong Kong musical theatre.”
 
Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, HKSAR Government, said, “The Impossible Trial utilises familiar Cantonese characters as its starting point while also injecting Western musical elements, fusing the cultural essences of traditional and contemporary, East and West, thus perfectly encapsulating Hong Kong’s special position as a nexus where China meets the world. The Shanghai and Beijing tour of this production in June and July garnered great acclaim, and this third run of The Impossible Trial has already reached a cumulative record of more than 80 sold-out performances. What an exciting achievement! Behind each thrilling performance is the hard work and dedication of the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre and all of the professionals working on and off stage. I am deeply grateful to their tireless efforts in refining The Impossible Trial into a celebrated and popular Hong Kong brand.”
 
Paul Chan, Acting Chairman, Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, said, “The Hong Kong original musical has developed as a genre for half a century, and all along the HKRep has been part of its history. As early as the 1980s, the company produced the Broadway musical West Side Story. In 2003, the HKRep joined hands with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and Hong Kong Dance Company in collaboration with two musical giants—Joseph Koo and James Wong—in Sweet & Sour Hong Kong, which ran for 20 performances within the year, as well as touring in Hangzhou and Shanghai. By 2008, we worked with the star musical duo Leon Ko and Chris Shum in Field of Dreams that was revised and presented in Hong Kong three times, later appearing on the Beijing stage. Similarly, The Impossible Trial was nurtured by Hong Kong’s unique local culture. Even now, I can still recall the audience’s enthusiastic response at The Impossible Trial’s Mainland China premiere at the Shanghai Culture Square in mid-June!”
 
Daisy Tsang, CEO of HSBC Life Hong Kong and Macau, said, “HSBC Life is honoured to be the title sponsor of this acclaimed production. As a leading insurer in Hong Kong, we are committed to supporting world-class arts and cultural events, helping to reinforce Hong Kong’s reputation as Asia’s world city and a hub for major events. The Impossible Trial has achieved remarkable success across multiple cities, and I am pleased to witness its homecoming performance here, where it all began. At HSBC Life, Hong Kong also holds a special place in our hearts—it’s where the HSBC brand journey began 160 years ago. We are proud to grow alongside this vibrant city while extending our reach to serve international customers. We are optimistic about the incredible potential this city offers and look forward to growing and succeeding together.”

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