Fellowship of the stars

EVERY Wednesday evening, hymns and songs of praise echo through a tiny flat in Tsim Sha Tsui. Most of those present are people once burdened with a desire to make a name for themselves The group is holding a Christian fellowship, singing praises, learning about the Bible, and sharing their feelings and experiences. Some of these experiences come from the seemingly glamorous world of show business, for the Home of the Artists, as this organisation is known, was formed nine years ago to find Christian disciples in that arena. Singers, actors and actresses are thus often group members.

The couple who run Home of the Artists - veteran actor Roy Chiao Hung and his wife, Otilia - believe the meetings have value, despite the small turnout each week.

'They enable the artists to establish mutual support and help deepen their religious knowledge,' explains Mr Chiao, whose moustachioed face has been seen in more than 100 Cantonese films, as well as Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Mr Chiao has just finished a film about elderly people with Alzheimer's Disease, directed by Ann Hui and co-starring Josephine Siu Fong-fong.

'The support of others is necessary for artists to stand firm in their belief that there is more to life than fame and money,' Mr Chiao says.

Actresses Teresa Mo Shun-kwan, Mary Hon, Wong Hoi-yan and Wu Mei-yee (all current or previous TVB artists) were among the early converts. So were former Miss Hong Kongs Mary Cheung, Law Pui-zi and Tse Ling. But most have now either emigrated or are too busy with filming to come.

Shek Kin, a veteran actor famous for his villainous roles in Cantonese movies of the 50s and 60s, also attended meetings frequently until recent health problems forced him to stop.