The eight toilet bowls lined up in the corner of the dance rehearsal room hardly seemed an auspicious introduction to the proceedings. To the casual onlooker in the Kwun Tong industrial building, they lend a faintly queasy air.
But in a world where cultures clash all too often, these functional objects are perhaps one area common to all, irrespective of where they hail from or their status. This goes some way to explaining why lavatorial humour tends to transcend cultural barriers.
And, as choreographer Jacky Yu points out, what better prop to use for his dance Private Moment, which is being shown with another of his works at the Sheung Wan Civic Centre on Friday and Saturday.
Of the two, this dance in particular promises to be a fascinating - as well as gruelling - one hour and 10 minute performance.
Women crawl underneath the tables while their male partners flaunt themselves on top. A woman sits in a corner tearing up letters, a pair of strangers glance enigmatically at one another.
And then of course, there is that most personal of moments - going to the toilet, whether perched on the seat or with one's head down the bowl.