Cameo parts aside. After a decade-long absence from the stage, veteran and award-winning actor Ko Tin-lung is to make a 'comeback' this year. The artistic director of Chung Ying Theatre will take the lead role in the company's new season highlight Encountering Mr Cai as the legendary Cai Yuan-pei. 'I thought I would play the part because I am old enough to play a 50-year-old man,' says Ko, who is 47.
'OK, I might not look like the real Cai Yuan-pei but the role is great and I feel honoured to play someone so well-respected.' Known as China's 'father of education', Cai was a former principal of the University of Beijing. The scholar was an advocate for the freedom of speech and thought, and is believed to have been be prime mover of the Contemporary Enlightened Movement, which emerged after the fall of the Qing Dynasty. Given that it is a story about China, has Ko planned to take the play, written by mainland playwright Sha Yexin and directed by Lee Ming-sum, across the border? Not at the moment. One wonders how a play that advocates minimal government interference would be received there.
Good news. Raise The Red Lantern - The Ballet, a highlight pulled from this year's Hong Kong Arts Festival programme, will come to the SAR next year. The National Ballet of China production, directed by award-winning mainland film-maker Zhang Yimou, premiered in Beijing earlier this month and will be staged at the Shanghai Grand Theatre for four days. The 2.5-hour ballet is based on the novel of the same name, which apparently bears little resemblance to the movie, also directed by Zhang and starring Gong Li.
The heat is on. Or so it seems if you look closely at the pamphlet stands at the Fringe Club. First there are publicity posters for Wu Hoi-fai's latest show Playsex, which feature a nude man (or is she a woman) lying face down on a Laura Ashley-type bed spread. Next to that is a stack of dance group Y-Space's publicity postcards, which show Mandy Yim and partner Victor Ma posing with only a piece of paper covering their naked bodies. Playsex will run until tomorrow while Y Space's Dance In Possible III will be on from May 24 to 26. And, sorry to disappoint, there is no nudity in either show.
Fearless social commentators? Christine Loh, yes. Emily Lau, most certainly. Anson Chan, well, maybe. But the Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir? Yes. The long-established singing ensemble is joining ranks with those who don't baulk at ridiculing - intelligently and humorously - those who deserve to be ridiculed. Entitled Positively Hong Kong, the choir's annual show on June 1 and 2 will make remark on housing problems, pollution problems and, yes, Richard Li, all the while remaining 'socially responsible'.
Meaning? A quick call to the choir headquarters reveals that its concert programme will be divided into two parts. The first will be a performance in the traditional style while the second will consist of songs that are all about Hong Kong and its people. Performances will be held at the Mariners' Club.
