DURAS PROJECT — MODERATO CANTABILE/C’EST TOUT Leisure and Cultural Services Department Stage director and critic Lo Wai-luk likens his upcoming multimedia production to a "conglomerate", a rock that consists of a multitude of different fragments. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of French writer Marguerite Duras' birth, the Duras Project is inspired by two of her iconic works — Moderato Cantabile , which marks her rise to fame as she tapped into the avant-garde writing style, and C'est Tout , her final novel before her death in 1996. It explores her life and multifaceted career with collaborations between a cast of six veteran cultural tastemakers, actors, artists and musicians. "It's all about incorporating various themes and art forms so they can all complement and enhance each other for a unique show," says Lo, an associate professor at Hong Kong Baptist University's Academy of Film. "I'm inspired by how talented Duras was as a novelist, screenwriter and movie director." And Moderato Cantabile will be presented in theatrical form and woven with dance pieces inspired by C'est Tout , the whole show is backed by live music composed by Duras' contemporary, pianist Francis Poulenc. The show is also punctuated by remarks from the performers on her influence in the local cultural scene, especially during the 1980s when interest towards modernism flared. "The stage — designed to intentionally depart from the actual action — is put together by Corrin Chan Chui-yi and is reminiscent of the unique architecture of Kowloon Walled City," says Lo. "The concept is that we take what's relevant to us to intertwine with Duras' artistic creations. It echoes her works' mastery of transitions between time and space: our show will almost be like we're reading Duras' novel in a cha chaan teng and characters from her books come to life, talking and living their stories right next to us, in our space." Cattle Depot Theatre, 63 Ma Tau Kok Road, To Kwa Wan, December 12-14, 8pm, December 13-14, 3pm. HK$220 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2268 7323