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Plays, comedy shows and dance in Hong Kong
Bamboo theatres are an iconic part of Hong Kong's theatre tradition. The large temporary structures often appear overnight in front of temples, with stage plays and operas performed to entice blessings from the gods. This spring one of Hong Kong’s more experimental theatre groups, the Kwun Tong-based Y-Space, take the traditional bamboo theatre as a starting point and perform modern dance and drama in the traditional setting.
The Makeshift Theatre project is part of the government’s Community Cultural Ambassadors Scheme, designed to bring contemporary arts into the community and Y-Space have chosen an intriguing concept by mimicking traditional companies and touring their contemporary show in a bamboo structure from Tsing Yi to Sai Kung over a five week-stint.
The project begins on Saturday 26th at the Tsing Yi football field, where the afternoon works like a mini-festival with shows running from midday to 6pm in the large bamboo structure. The festivities kick off with a Dance and Drum Parade which leads audiences to the bamboo theatre in a fusion of Western and Chinese percussive music. The Key to Happiness takes place on the stage itself, a tale about the search for happiness in the modern world, told through dance and drama. The third part of the day sees the stage divided into areas and the audience invited to join in on the action, with street dance, music section, dance workshops and a graffiti exhibition. It's a grassroots event that will doubtless shock some of the local residents by disguising contemporary theatre in such a traditional setting, but should provide a good dose of entertainment if you're in the area.
Makeshift Theatre Project: Sun Apr 26, 12pm-6pm, football field, Fung Shue Wo Rd, Tsing Yi; Sun May 4th, 12.30pm-6pm, Cha Kwo Ling Rd (next to the Tin Hau Temple); Sun May 11th, 9.30am-3pm, Wong Nai Chung Crescent Garden, Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley; Tue May 27th, 2.30pm-8pm. Po Tung Rd (next to the Tin Hau Temple), Sai Kung. Free Admission. Volunteers are welcome. Program inquires: 2470 0511.