Arts Preview: Debating spirit on the stage in 'The Professor'

From left: a philosophy teacher (Poon Chan-leung); student activist (Au Yeung Chun); and freshman (Kwok Chingman).

THE PROFESSOR
Hong Kong Repertory Theatre

There is a lot of debate in this new work by award-winning playwright Candace Chong Mui-ngam to celebrate Chinese University's 50th anniversary.

But before you stifle a yawn and turn the page, Chong insists this original drama is not boring. Directed by Octavian Chan Cheuk-wai, The Professor is more than just a discussion on the pros and cons of the local education system.

"The script draws me in with its breadth and depth," says Chan.

"It touches on the significance of critical thinking and freedom of speech. It's not just about education - it's about its meaning in life and how it changes an individual."

The story revolves around the tug-of-war relationships between freshman Lucretia (Kwok Ching-man), her inspiring philosophy lecturer (Poon Chan-leung) and her boyfriend Jeremy (Au Yeung Chun), a year-two law student and an activist.

The romance between the two is spiced up by the trouble they have to face together during his social movement involvement, for which he is torn between the lecturer - his uncle and a student activist himself when he was young - and his conservative mother.

"It's never easy when moral, practical, family responsibility and so on must all be taken into consideration," says Chan.

Chong promises the debating scenes, including one about "the guiding philosophy for education should be commercialisation", will be gripping.

In the final scene, Lucretia takes her mentor on in an argument on whether education can change the society or if it is just empty talk. It is a discussion that both the playwright and the director deem the most noteworthy.

"While my own stance [on various issues] may be shown throughout the play, it's up to the audience to have their own interpretation. There's no distinct right or wrong - each has their own reasoning," says Chong.

"It's just like there will always be so many struggles and decisions to make in your life - whether to stay in one job or try something new, or to live with your family or move out for independence.

"Life in itself is games of debates."

vanessa.yung@scmp.com

Hong Kong City Hall Theatre, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central, 7.45pm, September 1-11 (no Sunday and Monday shows); 2.45pm on September 1, 7 and 8; HK$180-HK$280 from Urbtix. Inquiries: 3103 5900