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Lee Wing-Sze

The flagship performance of this year's Hong Kong Youth Arts Festival (HKYAF) Grease  is set to break box office records.

The famous musical,  to be staged at the Shouson Theatre of the Arts Centre in the next four days, has been sold out.

The '70s classic Broadway show, Grease, has been adapted into a bilingual educational musical with 50 dancers, singers and actors aged between 14 and 25.

'Last year, we did West Side Story, and it was very successful,' said Lindsey McAlister, the festival founder and artistic director.

Apart from the songs, the musical will be presented in both English and Cantonese.

'The Youth Arts Festival is all about getting people from different backgrounds  to come together to work on a production,' Ms McAlister said. 'The bilingual production reflects society in Hong Kong.

'When we decided to adapt Grease, we were worried about the casting of the main male character, Danny,' she said.

'The character of Danny has to be very very strong. He's got to be a good actor, a good dancer and a good singer, and also he's got to be bilingual.

'We're delighted when Kin turned up for the audition! He's just fantastic!'

Chan Cho-kin, 20, an Acade my for Performing Arts student who took the role of the sharp and cool Danny, admitted acting in English was a hindrance  even though he had a lot of on-stage experience.

'As a native Cantonese speaker, I don't know how to act in English. But I want to take a shot!' he said.

'It's difficult, but it's really challenging!'

The bilingual performance is also a problem to the native English actors.

Muriel Hofmann, 17, and Melinda Ritthaler, 16, from the German Swiss International School and Hong Kong International School respectively, are the ones who act the main female character Sandy in alternate shows.

Although they found it difficult to speak the Cantonese lines, they both treasured the opportunity to learn Cantonese.

'It's great as I've always wanted to learn Cantonese, and it helps me reach my goal!' said an excited Muriel.

The other Sandy, Melinda said: 'It's really a good opportunity and experience because speaking different languages is a good way to learn.'



Famous musical set to become box-office hit