Play gives roller skaters fair hearing
An award-winning play set on smashing stereotypes about teenagers goes on show at Sha Tin Town Hall tomorrow.
In one scene, two boys on roller skates trade insults.
'Maybe you are right, I know nothing about wheels. But at least I've got muscles!' 'No! At most you've got muscles!' 'Wanna make something of it, buddy?' An old man, who has been sitting quietly on bench throughout, suddenly shouts: 'Would you two stop being childish!' Music rolls, lights dim and the scene fades.
Director of the play Shatin Wheel Co Li Kang-fai said: 'I don't mind if my actors add something of their own to the script on the set. In fact, everything about the play is open to discussion. Everybody here has made some contribution to the script.' He said there were still some loose ends to tie up before opening night.
Li, together with a few other drama enthusiasts, founded their theatrical troupe, the Theatre in Space for Dream, in the summer of 1996. Since then they have been competing in regional drama contests on a regular basis. Their latest play, Shatin Wheel Co , won an award at the Shatin Drama Parade 2000 back in February. It is also their first production to get a public performance.
Li said: 'The initial play was much shorter - only half an hour. Later we rewrote parts of the original script and put in new elements. Finally we came up with this two-hour long edition.' The play is about a group of teenagers in search of their own territory to roller skate. They gather outside Sha Tin Town Hall every night to practise. Despite interference from security guards and harassment from skateboarders and gangs, they still go on with their practice. And their perseverance finally gets rewarded.
'Our script is based on real stories and characters. At weekends there are always loads of roller skating fanatics in front of City Hall. Remember the old man in the scene? He is actually a real character too. He often hangs around at the square out side City Hall chatting to passers-by. We talked to him a few times to get a better understanding of him,' Li said.
According to Li, the play aims to present things from the roller skaters' side. Although a handful are notorious for reckless behaviour, most of these teenagers were good people.
'These teenagers have been seriously misunderstood.
'People often associate them with juvenile delinquency, but it is unfair. I would say these guys are amateur athletes, not delinquents. All they want is a place to skate.
'Adults should keep an open mind about them until they have heard all the facts.
'My message to the audience is clear: avoid stereotyping. Most skaters are well-behaved and they definitely deserve fair treatment.
'The play might strike a chord with the teenage skaters. I hope they can build up their self- esteem and self-image and have the courage of their own convictions. This positive approach to life can apply to any other situation as well,' Li said.
