Canto-pop-inspired drama Together returns with new stars
Singer Mag Lam and composer Chiu Tsang-hei make their stage debuts in the revival of a show first performed in October
Trinity Theatre is rebooting its Canto-pop-inspired drama Together, first staged in October as part of its popular Sing A Long series, this time with two hot talents on the local music scene: singer Mag Lam Yan-tung and composer/producer Chiu Tsang-hei. Neither have done any stage acting before, but director Allen Ma Chi-hok is confident they will add to the show.
Lam, who rose to fame after winning the local televised singing competition The Voice in 2010, says she has appeared in movies and on television, and believes what she lacks in theatre experience she can make up for in her singing.
"Pop music is my language. It's part of what guides my soul. Ever since music has existed, humans have used it to express themselves ... for different occasions," she says, adding that some pop songs can be adapted to tell stories, given the fact that they explore a range of subjects and themes.
"You can always find comfort listening to music or humming songs to yourself," she says.
Ma says Lam has been a fast learner: "She loves thinking and is very sensitive — qualities that many good actors share. I admire her a lot and I'm looking forward to working with her again."
Chiu feels both excited and nervous about the upcoming production, which will open on July 23. The composer says he is a fan of the Sing A Long series and appreciates how Trinity Theatre has devoted its efforts to document the evolution of the Canto-pop scene. While also a newbie to theatre, Chiu says that appearing as himself in the production gives the show a sense of authenticity. "Ma knows I'm bad at remembering lines, that's why I'm just going to be myself," Chiu says. "My role is to share my personal stories as a veteran of the local music industry."
