Reviews
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Review-Contempt 2014-Zuni Icosahedron27-9-14
I walked into Grand Theatre expecting to rate Contempt 2014 by asking whether it was worth the money and time to attend and whether it would entertain the audience, as this is what most shows strive to achieve. It turns out, however, that this show refuses to be audience-oriented. Consistent with the director, Danny Yung’s previous experimental pieces, Contempt 2014 is almost all about theatre artists or actors. It was about showcasing the artists’ talent and about an artists’ reflections over politics, theatre and love.
Review-In-Between-CCDC27-9-14
Three choreographers from CCDC, Peggy Lam, Shirley Lom and Anh Ngoc Nguyen teamed up to choreograph what is possibly the most enjoyable hour and thirty minutes I’ve ever spent watching a dance performance.
Review-Of Mice and Men-Performance Exchange27-9-14
When you first arrive at Premium Sofa Club you're not sure how it can be the location for a theatre production. The former stomping ground for XXX, Premium Sofa Club is in a basement space in Sheung Wan. Little does the passer-by know that there's a great little performance space below the rumbling streets.
Review-Mamma Mia-Lunchbox Productions26-9-14
Did you know that Mamma Mia is the fastest selling DVD in the world? It sold 1,669,084 copies in the UK on its FIRST DAY! People are crazy for this show and I can see why. It's really fun. Sometimes we need a show to brighten our mood and wipe away the muck of the terrible things in the world; Mamma Mia is the perfect solution for that.
Review-Dream Illusion Bubble Shadow-Zuni Icosahedron20-9-14
‘Ding Dong’ the Duck is dead!
Review-David Sedaris-Story Worthy Week19-9-14
David Sedaris doesn’t really need much criticism… He’s an award winning author, has published eight books and contributed countless times to the New Yorker and other famous publications. Last night he came to Hong Kong as part of Story Worthy Week. He was their “marquee event” as Tom Tiding (SWW co-founder and presenter for the evening) described. Wanting to prove that Hong Kong is not a cultural desert and can sustain such events, Mr. Tiding was determined to prove that Hong Kong audiences are interested in the arts. He was proven right with a sell-out show at the KITEC.
Review-Liars' League-Story Worthy Week16-9-14
Liars' League appeared as a part of Hong Kong’s second annual Story Worthy Week with great zeal and aplomb. Story Worthy Week is “a Hong Kong-based arts festival that believes that everyone in Hong Kong has a story to tell.” Over the course of about 12 days, there will be numerous Story Worthy events.
Review-The Imposter-Story Worthy Week15-9-14
We all have at least one story to tell. Our own.
Review- Red Poppies -Hong Kong Dance Company14-9-14
This isn’t the first time Hong Kong Dance Company has brought Red Poppies to the stage. It was first brought to life in 2007 and walked away with several Hong Kong Dance Alliance Awards. I was very excited to see it as I’ve not seen much Tibetan dance and always enjoy seeing something new. The story in Red Poppies centers around two brothers and their father who is a drug lord during the Opium wars. It’s a very interesting subject for a dance piece - something I’ve not seen explored before. The piece is based on a novel by Alai, apparently very famous in Chinese culture.
Review- Golden Lotus, the Musical13-9-14
Deviating from the original novel, Golden Lotus, the Musical composed by George Chiang represents a more unambiguous love tragedy with a more acceptable heroine. While briefly presented, the heroine’s frivolity or sexual desire (which characterizes the original novel’s version of her) is downplayed by turning her into a pathetic victim of beastly male appetites and the corrupted society, probably in a way to underscore her loyal love to Wu Sung. Although it reduces the complexity of the original novel, this adaptation makes the story more accessible and preserves the arching transformation of Golden Lotus.
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