Rainbow shines in Tin Shui Wai

Students in Tin Shui Wai earned themselves a big round of applause last month when they performed the Broadway classic, The Wizard of Oz, at Yuen Long theatre.

The performance was part of the Tin Shui Wai Youth Arts festival 2008, hosted by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, a non-profit organisation.

The show was a victory for the new town which has been known as the 'city of sadness' after horrific tragedies there.

The production demonstrated local students' talent, while boosting their confidence and English skills at the same time.

Helen Chan Hoi-lam, a Primary Six student from LST Leung Kau Kui Primary School, starred as Dorothy. She said she had a great time in the show. 'I had a lot of fun and learned a lot of things. The experience helped me become a better singer and actress.'

But, on a more serious note, she added the performance had shown the public that Tin Shui Wai was being misrepresented in the media.

Lau Ka-kee, a Primary Six student of Lions Clubs International Ho Tak Sum Primary School who played the part of the cowardly lion, wished the play could have lasted longer. 'I think everyone gave their best to make the performance successful,' she said. 'Apart from acting, I also learned English grammar and vocabulary from participating in the play. I think the success of the play made the people of Tin Shui Wai proud.'