Arts preview: International Black Box Festival highlights different approaches to theatre
Vanessa Yung
Moving to England in 2008 to pursue a master of fine arts degree in theatre practice proved an eye-opener for stage actress, playwright and director Fung Wai-hang.
Now resident director of the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, Fung found a course on unconventional drama training particularly inspiring. It impressed her so much that she wanted to share her experience with other stage enthusiasts in the form of a new festival.
The company's first International Black Box Festival is all about exploring the potential of the stage and discovering new possibilities for actors and audiences alike.
"We shouldn't be satisfied with the conventional theatrical approach of simply answering the questions of who, what, where, when, why, and how," says Fung.
"Overseas companies have been experimenting with many different systems, and taking up multidisciplinary training. These should go hand in hand with what we're already doing."
Although there are many arts and culture festivals in the city, the audience seldom has a chance to get up close and personal with the artists involved, she says.
"I feel that it's crucial for theatre-goers to have a more intimate conversation with the artists - that's why I put a lot of effort in organising after-show talks and workshops.
"Sometimes more daring and edgy shows don't sell very well. But the set-up of the Black Box Theatre is all about opening people's eyes to different performances and approaches," she says.
The festival will feature five productions from Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and Britain.
, staged by locally based Artocrite Theatre, reflects on the darker side of human nature, while by the Finger Players - written, directed and performed by Oliver Chong from Singapore - turns the clichéd topic of searching for one's roots into a humorous one-man performance.
From Taiwan, M.O.V.E Theatre's uses sports as a metaphor for interpersonal relationships at work, while Ian Morgan's , from Britain, is a piece about being seduced by danger.
Dubbed a colloquial drama, by Seinendan from Japan features mundane, yet thought-provoking, conversations by a recently married couple.
"Although each of the companies has very different theatrical concepts, they are all very honest in their work and try hard to go beyond typical explorations of their subjects," says Fung.
In various languages, some with English surtitles HK Rep Black Box, 8/F Sheung Wan Civic Centre, 345 Queen's Road Central, Sheung Wan, January 17-March 30, HK$180, HK$280 Urbtix. Inquiries: 3103 5900
