Review-#HKproblems_theplay-Beating Heart
22-3-13
By: Stephanie Ip
To experience this play, two things must be explained.
First, that this place is terribly hard to find and even the cast knows it. Five minutes into the show, Meaghan McGurgan, co-writer and actress on #HKproblems_theplay voices the question everyone had asked themselves at one point or another tonight, “Where the f*** is Beating Heart?”
Answer: Don’t be fooled into thinking you’re at the wrong place when you arrive at the entrance to a carpark. Walk down the car ramp and take those elevators to your right up to the 8/F.
Second, it is imperative that you understand the whole hashtag business. The # symbol is originally placed before a keyword or phrase to create topics and help categorize tweets. Nowadays, the hashtag has expanded beyond the realms of Twitter and is commonly used by hipsters for whatever reason they please. #likethis
If you’re looking for a different theatre experience, then #HKproblems_theplay, written by Eric Krueger and Meaghan McGurgan, might be for you. Born out of a conversation about a popular Twitter feed, this show is just as much for a laugh as it is a social media experiment. Unlike other shows where you are meant to put your phone away, the audience here is encouraged to tweet.
Written as a series of skits based on common problems that people in Hong Kong (mostly expats) face on a regular basis, the show plays out almost like stand-up comedy. A #topic lights up on the projector screen at the back, and the cast reacts to it, playing out light-hearted scenes that illicit raucous laughter from the audience.
Mind you, not all the skits would be to your liking. Some really common #hkproblems, like the rip-off taxi driver and the over-texting, felt slightly unimaginative while the jab at Hong Kong politics felt too trite and superficial. There are funnier moments than the $6,000 incident, and hospital beds jokes are becoming a bit repetitive.
But that’s just my opinion. There were definitely parts of the show I found really amusing that weren’t met with as much laughter. Let’s just say, not everybody sings about building this city on dong lai cha (iced milk tea), and I happen to prefer dong ling cha (iced lemon tea).
The good thing about #HKproblems_theplay is that there are so many #hkproblems in this city that you’re bound to find something you can relate to, and things that will have you clutching your sides in laughter.
The cast really put in an effort to reach all four corners of Hong Kong and have dug up some really good material – from the taitais, to the gweilos, to the gays, and to the sluttus hornaceous drunkus (from my favorite skit on #mating) – to turn into stereotypes in the wittiest, funniest manner.
We all live in Hong Kong after all. These are our experiences, our pains, our problems. What else can we laugh at if not ourselves?
#HKproblems_theplay is playing at Beating Heart through Saturday. For more information, please click here.
Comments
bumble bee
The show was awesome! We had such a good time. I haven't laughed like that in years. I was crying I laughed so hard. Great job to everyone in the cast! Of course, I think Joms was the best but I know him. :)
22 March 2013Nicole Garbellini
It was a very entertaining evening. The best part was the video, and I think the first act had a better brio that the second one. The blue lights in act 1 should be dimmed a little as they were much too strong, and actors should mind their blocking in the texting scenes as sometimes the audience was unable to read the screen. Interesting choice of venue and idea for a play. I didn't agree with all the sketches presented, but one no doubt will sure find at least a situation or two to relate to as the reviewer suggests.
22 March 2013Aarneer
I don't go see shows in hong kong typically. I find them boring. This show was very funny and original. If you like the Groundlings in LA you'll love it. It has something for everyone.
22 March 2013hkteacher
The teaching scene was the best. Laughed too hard, so weak... Anyone who's ever worked at a learning center was shouting, 'amen'!
22 March 2013david
LAHBIAS. My new favorite acronym.
22 March 2013judy
Just saw the show. It was amazing! nah nah nah nah GWEILO!
22 March 2013actor
It was a good script, really funny. Last night there were some tech issues. Why did the lights suddenly go out when the actors were still talking?!
23 March 2013brad
The reviewer seems to have given this group 3 stars for no reason other than they picked an inconvenient venue. No criticism of the show's acting or design and totally affordable at 150. It was hilarious and in the vein of underground shows I saw in NYC when I lived there.
24 March 2013laura
It was good but did they have to say fuck so much?
24 March 2013Holly
Absolutely LOVED this play! There was soooo much that I have either experienced personally or have seen or have heard from friends! As long as you don't take life too seriously and wanna have a 'fucking' great side splitting night...check this play out...my fingers are crossed you can do it again!! Fucking great ass job!!! :-)
24 March 2013sarah
PLEEEAAAAASSSEEEE do a second run! Crushed I couldn't see it.
26 March 2013hkproblems_theplay
Don't be crushed! The second run is here! May 5th, 8pm at Grappa's Cellar~!
03 May 2013Candy Crush Addict
Just came back from the Grappa's show! Thank you so much for a wonderful evening of fun, laugh and food. I haven't laughed like that in a really long time. Grappa's didn't have the lighting/sound that your first run had but just the same spirit. Love the new video and can't wait for hkproblems 3.0
05 May 2013