Hong Kong Repertory Theatre 2017-18 Season Presents “Harnessing the Power of Theatre”

Hong Kong Repertory Theatre 2017-18 Season

New Season Presents Harnessing the Power of Theatre

Advanced Booking of Season Tickets from 17 Mar with up to 30% Discount

[Hong Kong Repertory Theatre] The Hong Kong Repertory Theatre unveiled an exciting lineup of its 2017-18 season on 16^th March celebrating the 40^th anniversary of the company’s founding. Offerings this season are built around “Harnessing the Power of Theatre” assembling old and new friends—outstanding local artists as well as guests from abroad—as the HKRep continues to bring excellent drama to its audience, using the power of theatre to connect the hearts of the Hong Kong public.

Artistic Director Anthony Chan explains, “As we mark this important milestone, HKRep not only concerns itself with the direction ahead but also shoulders the responsibility of developing Hong Kong theatre, elevating the environment for theatre in the city, providing a platform to promote and develop local works, offering growth opportunities for a new generation of theatre practitioners, and delving even deeper into theatre research and education. Our 40^thanniversary season epitomizes the company’s innovation and development. It is my heartfelt wish that our company can harness the power of theatre, to create even more excellent drama that connects to the heart of everyone in Hong Kong.”

Main Stage Productions
 

Forever Silence – A new work written and directed by Cheung Tat Ming—At the precipice between life and death

A best-selling novelist famous for bodice-rippers decides to join a nunnery, surprising her family, publisher and readers, even Buddhist masters. Cheung Tat Ming returns to the HKRep after eight years (Beautiful Connection) to create and direct Forever Silence, with Louisa So in the role of the novelist. (16^th May to 4^th June, Hong Kong City Hall Theatre)

Forever Silence is sponsored by the Sunwah Group and is an accredited event celebrating the 20^th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

In Times of Turmoil, they lose their way, they struggle to survive, but they still have faith

This story takes place in Hong Kong and Guangzhou before 1949, with Cheng Sumei and Gui Yuxin as the core characters, tracing the rise and fall of a banking family. The play touches on the bonds of kinship, love, friendship and nation. In light of the civil war, social unrest and a family business on the brink of collapse, who can predict the future, let alone matters of the heart? In Times of Turmoil is adapted from Dr. Leung Fung Yee’s 2013 novel by Chan Yiu Hung and directed by HKRep Artistic Director Anthony Chan. (1^st to 9^th July, Hong Kong City Hall Theatre)

In Times of Turmoil’s title sponsor is Wing Lung Bank. It is co-sponsored by the Hong Kong Federation of Women and Qin Jia Yuan Publishing Company. In Times of Turmoil is an accredited event celebrating the 20^th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Buried Child – Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Drama and OBIE award

A baby dies young in a rural American family, where three generations gather under one roof. Only grandfather Dodge knows where the child was buried. When his grandson Vince and his girlfriend Shelly arrive, this “buried secret” is uncovered overnight, layer upon layer. Buried Child is the work of pioneering American playwright Sam Shepard, translated by HKRep Artistic Director Anthony Chan and directed by Travis Preston, Dean of the CalArts School of Theater. (15^th to 23^rd July, Hong Kong City Hall Theatre)

Reincarnation of the Prunus Mume – Does true love equate possession? How about sacrificing oneself for love?

Modelling after the Tang Disheng’s classic Reincarnation of the Red Plum, Artistic Director Anthony Chan uses the perspective of the other woman—Lu Zhaorong—in the love triangle. When she finds out Li Huiniang is also in love with Pei Yu, should she insist on love as possession, or generously offer her corpse to be reincarnated and occupied by another soul?Reincarnation of the Prunus Mume is directed by Anthony Chan, the script is co-written by Chan and Yuen Kai-Chi, Golden Horse winner and A Chinese Ghost Story screenwriter. HKRep has invited television stars Shek Sau and Chan Kwok Pong to lead the cast. (2^nd to 9^thSeptember, Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre)

Reincarnation of the Prunus Mume is sponsored by Chow Sang Sang and is an accredited event celebrating the 20^th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The Father (Le Père)-  Molière Award for Best Play—Examining enduring familial bonds

As her elderly father gradually loses his ability to be independent, Anne moves him in to live with her and her boyfriend. Her father vacillates between humorous disposition and state of confusion. “Reality” gradually dissolves in his mind, creating many problems between parent and child. Le père is written by one of France’s most popular young playwrights, Florian Zeller, and winner of the 2014 Molière Award for Best Play. It is directed by HKRep Assistant Artistic Director Fung Wai Hang; Director Emeritus Fredric Mao plays the title role with guest artist Alice Lau joining the cast. (19^th October to 3^rd November, Hong Kong Arts Centre Shouson Theatre)

The Diary of Song – Paul Poon and Lee Chun Chow uncover the confidential diary of the tiger-vanquishing hero

Wizard playwright Paul Poon, after the sold-out run of Hu Xueyan, My Dear, singles out Wu Song from the Chinese classic novel The Water Margin, using a comic approach to construct the character anew. The story begins with Wu fighting a tiger in Jingyang Pass, tracing the psychological process affecting his actions, accentuating the dilemma between idealism and reality. His being trapped in an emotional rut and despair can easily be applied to our modern lives. The Diary of Song is written and directed by Paul Poon, with Lee Chun Chow playing the title role. (21^st October to 5^th November, Hong Kong City Hall Theatre)

The Diary of Song’s title sponsor is Shun Hing Group.

Scrooge! – The Musical – A family-fun Broadway musical to warm your hearts this Christmas

Winner of three Hong Kong Drama Awards—Best Actor (Tragedy/Drama), Best Makeup and Image Design and Top Ten Most Popular Productions—Scrooge! – The Musical returns to the stage for a third Christmas season. The story begins on Christmas Eve as song and dance transport Scrooge from the past through the present to the future. Guided in his journey by the ghost of his good friend and three spirits, Scrooge eventually learns the truth about happiness. This production is directed by Michael Dobbin, adapted into Cantonese from Leslie Bricusse’s script, music and lyrics by HKRep Artistic Director Anthony Chan. Pichead Amornsomboon reprises his award-winning title role. (6^th to 26^th December, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Lyric Theatre; tickets are on sale at HKTicketing starting 26^th September.)

Auspicious Day—Part three of the “Family in crisis” series turns joyous rituals on their head

Matthew Cheng, following The Last Supper and The Sin Family, creates yet another family drama combining realism with absurdist characteristics, magnifying familial issues often overlooked in society. This story takes place the night before a wedding, yet there is neither joy nor jubilation, only mother and daughters pouring their hearts out with astounding secrets. (10^thto 25^th March 2018, Hong Kong Arts Centre Shouson Theatre)

Black Box Productions

Principle

A new principal establishes a host of new rules, upsetting both teachers and students. The vice principal cannot bear seeing the school’s longstanding culture decimated and innocent students oppressed, so he stands up to his boss. The principal pushes back, reasoning with her principles. Principle is written by Ivan Kwok and directed by Gabriel Lee. (1^st to 9^th July)

The Open Platform: Beyond the Corner

Six passionate and dedicated university students founded Corner, a new media organisation for the new generation. Because of an argument, a small fissure becomes a huge crisis. Everyone is upset and desperate. Friends originally united in their dreams now turn against each other. Beyond the Corner is written by Lam Kwan Yiu and directed by Chan Suk Yi. (3^rd to 12^thNovember)

The Open Platform: Twists and Turns

When a young man encounters a severe bout of writer’s block, he decides to chronicle all of his past experiences—with no holds barred. His words guide him to recollect the moment when he was inspired to write, letting him appreciate afresh the many choices along his creative path. Twists and Turns is written by Hui Chun Pong and directed by Yu Hon Ting. (5^th to 14^th January 2018)

White Blaze of the Morning

The 2015 premiere production of White Blaze of the Morning written and directed by Yan Pat To catapulted the playwright to stardom with the Theatre Libre Award for Best Script. Yat Sum, Ka Po, Anthony and Si Yin befriend each other in a study room. Together they survive the harrowing preparations for their A-levels. While waiting for the results, they delve into Tarot, Kabbalah and Zodiac predictions. At an overnight camp, they even create Chinese astrology charts and their fates are transformed. (26^th January to 10^th February 2018)

Ladies, Bon Voyage! – a Cabaret

Created by HKRep company members Kiki Cheung and Cheung Ngar Lai, Ladies, Bon Voyage! – A Cabaret takes you on a musical journey of the female disposition. This production is directed by Fung Wai Hang with music by Cynthia Wong and lyrics by Chris Shum. (24^th March to 5^th April 2018)

The above productions take place at the HKRep Black Box Theatre (Sheung Wan Civic Centre, 8/F).

Advanced Booking of Season Tickets up to 30% Discount

Advanced booking is now available (from now till 5 June 2017), offering up to 30% discount, for the best seats available in the house. The new season brochure is distributed through URBTIX. Subscription programme enquiry: 3103 5900.

The Hong Kong Repertory Theatre acknowledges the following organizations for their support of the 2017-18 season: (in alphabetical order by company name)

Chow Sang Sang Holdings International Ltd.

Hang Seng Bank

Hong Kong Federation of Women

Qin Jia Yuan Publishing Company

MTR Corporation Limited

Shun Hing Group

Sunwah Group

Wing Lung Bank

Fashion & Styling for Artist Team in 2017-18 Season Subscription Brochure: HARRISON WONG

Harrison Wong made his fashion debut in Hong Kong by winning both the “Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest” and the Grand Prix Contest in Japan in 1996. After graduating with a Master’s degree from the London College of Fashion, he founded his own brand HARRISON WONG. To date, he has shown his design collections in New York, Paris, Sydney, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Wong has worked as Design Director for a number of fashion houses in Hong Kong and China, having built a substantial creative expertise at the corporate level in these dynamic markets.

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