In the programme - designed to resemble a primary school exercise book - director Chan Ping-chiu writes that 'future' is a colourful word. It is a contradiction of new and old, reality and Utopia. Future is an extension of the present.
So, what does the word mean to Hong Kong people? This is the question Chan raises throughout La Vie Gaie, a show that consists of 15 original sketches co-created by Actors' Family's Mandy Yiu, Pang Chun-nam and Lee Chi-man. Through anecdotal events, situations and topics - from post-handover euphoria to social problems faced by a suicidal sze lai (housewife) - the theme of 'what lies ahead' is interpreted through different people.
The production kicks off with three actors discussing handover night - the past - over a meal. The historic event is viewed from different angles.
Lee was partying inside the Arts Centre where the young crowd just wanted to have a good time while Yiu was at home playing mahjong with her family and friends 'and it felt just like the Lunar New Year'. Pang watched the event from Europe. He recalls: 'It was pouring down with rain in Hong Kong and the TV commentator kept saying how everyone was drenched. But when I looked out of my window, it was sunny.' Then the show progresses to the present. In a memorable sketch, the boys take up their roles as Lee sze lai and Pang sze lai.
The former is pregnant and contemplating suicide while the latter tries to dissuade her from jumping.
Lee sze lai feels helpless. She neither has the money to hire a maid to look after her baby, nor does she know whether the child should go to a Chinese or English school. Then she decides not to jump because she has to wash her hair.
