Quest to the west
What would happen if Xuanzang, the Buddhist monk in Journey to the West was a schoolgirl and the Monkey King a workaholic?
Chung Ying Theatre explores the scenario through a modern and humorous stage adaption of the classic Chinese novel.
Journey to the West, originally published in 1590s, tells of Xuanzang's pilgrimage to India with his three disciples - the Monkey King, the Pig Monster and the River Monster - in search of religious texts.
Inspired by the adventure-filled masterpiece, Chung Ying Theatre has created a version that takes place in modern-day Hong Kong.
In place of the Tang Dynasty monk is Tong Tong, a 13-year-old girl. She decides to travel westward from her Kwun Tong home to the Tian Tan Buddha Statue on Lantau
Island to pray for her ailing grandmother. Three neighbours - representing the original story's three disciples - accompany her.
Like the original novel, Modern Journey to the West is full of obstacles and arguments among the pilgrims.
'The drama is a comedy to make people laugh,' said director William Lo Chun-ho. 'We tried to keep the essence of the original novel, which is like a cartoon filled with fun and fantasy.'
Young people will find the drama appealing because of its colorful costumes, enjoyable music and energetic performers, said Lo.
The biggest challenge was to give the original characters a modern twist, he said.
In the classic, the Monkey King was able to transform himself into various people and objects. In the modern drama, the character performs magic instead.
'I realised that the characters represent different personalities that are still common in modern-day society,' said Lo.
For example, the Monkey King represents a clever, arrogant and energetic person. The Pig Monster is lazy and lacks self-confidence, while the River Monster is introverted.
Edmond Lo Chi-sun will play the Monkey King. He was delighted to get the chance to play the legendary character, he said, adding that the modern adaption made it a unique and challenging role.
'I play a smart man who is always busy working and making money, like most city dwellers,' he said. 'But the journey makes him realise that work is not everything. People need to take a break to think about the meaning of life and care about others.'
Wu Lai-ying, who plays Tong Tong, hopes that young audiences will reflect on the message the drama conveys.
'Perhaps because of the rich and comfortable environment they were born in, many teenagers nowadays lack persistence and give up easily when there are setbacks,'
she said. 'Tong Tong is a character who reminds youth that patience and diligence are the keys to success.'
