Theatre Fanatico Kwai Tsing Theatre Tomorrow-Sat, 8pm
This latest offering from theatre director Kevin Ho Ying-fung is a thinker's drama. Set in 2022 in the ancient oasis city of Gaochang in Xinjiang province, The Curious Case of Sanzang is a critique of the mainland's desire to develop and Hong Kong's readiness to conform.
'Is development really necessary even if it's at the cost of our environment?' says Ho. 'On the other hand, social development [in Hong Kong] has been at a standstill because of a lack of vision and independent thinking in our society, critical thinking is not encouraged.'
Ho (above), who wrote and directs this follow-up to his 2003 work Heading West, puts various social systems - education in Hong Kong and the judiciary on the mainland - on trial. The audience is asked to be the jury.
At the core of this surreal courtroom drama is one long monologue delivered by veteran stage actor Chan Chu-hei who is the prosecution, defence lawyer as well as the voice of seven witnesses played by Ng Wai-shek, Chan Ming-long, Popo Tso, Owen Wong, Lam Yin, Vinci Mok and Mike Ho.
The cast will be supported by Cha Siu's lighting, live sound artist Yuen Cheuk-wah, visuals by Woo Ling-ling as well as live performances by the John Chen Ensemble and vocalist Priscilla Leung Siu-wai. The 'multimedia musical', which is part of this year's Silk Road Arts Festival, will also feature photography by Canadian artist Edward Burtynsky.