Slapstick comedy probes meaning of life

Farce is no kids' stuff. It can be deep and meaningful, as one local amateur drama group found out recently.

The adaptation of Neil Simon's Fools by Drama Onion, a drama club of past students from St Paul's School, attempts to investigate the meaning of life through slapstick comedy.

'The drama makes you think about the meaning of happiness,' said William Yip Shun-him, the director and translator.

'Is it smart to take advantage of others? Or does it really matter if you are stupid but happy?'

To Yip, ignorance is bliss.

'I have a friend whose sister is mentally disabled. She enjoys a close relationship with her family. It's ironic that we, the 'normal' ones, are trying every means to deceive others at the expense of family bonds and friendship.'

Lee Yick-chung, 21, drama enthusiast from the Polytechnic University who played the teacher in the comedy, agreed that the story was inspiring.