Q&A:Wakin Chau

Taiwan-based singer-songwriter Wakin Chau produced a number of popular tunes such as You Make Me Happy and Sad and Flower's Heart in the late 1980s and 1990s. With more than 40 albums to his name, the Hong Kong-born multi-platinum-selling artist is known for his catchy music, smooth vocals and 'nice guy' persona. In 2008, he formed Super Band with acclaimed Taiwanese songwriter-producer Jonathan Lee, rocker Chang Chen-yue and singer-songwriter Lo Ta-yu, and for the past couple of years has been touring the world.

Chau also acted in movies such as Just Married and Who's the Woman, Who's the Man? In this year's Hong Kong Arts Festival, which opens next week, Chau, 50, takes on the role of musical director and composer of 108 Heroes, Tales from The Water Margin. The theatrical musical adaptation of a Chinese classic novel is directed by Taiwan's Wu Hsing-kuo and written by novelist Chang Ta-chuen.

You first collaborated with Wu and Chang in 2007's Water Margin musical. How does it feel working with them again?

I've been a fan of Wu for many years. I watched his production of a Shakespeare play adapted and presented as a Peking opera. It was a groundbreaking performance. I'm also a big fan of Chang. He's young, but he has already produced many works of literature. When they asked me to write music for the show, I said yes right away. They are serious about what they do and I totally trust them.

I was intimidated at first because both of them are so respected. But they welcome input and everyone can express their ideas in meetings. So I decided to be confident and enjoy this opportunity. All I needed to think about was how to blend Peking opera with pop music. At first it was tough, but we managed to make it work. The last production was about the beginning of The Water Margin; this time we are doing the ending of the story.

How do the three of you interact?