Our Journal of Springtime the Musical

Description

With all 20 of its trial performances sold out, the successful show dissects the competitive and stressful life of local students, who face the dilemma between following their hearts and reaching for 5** at the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education – a once hugely controversial public examination system that replaced the A-Levels in 2012. And it’s not only the students who are struggling. The ethics of parents, teachers and school masters are put to the test as they motivate the students to ace the examination. It’s a simple story, but the struggles, complications and moral dilemmas touch the heart of both Hongkongers who have gone through this stage of life, as well as those who are interested to get an insider’s view of Hong Kong’s education system.

The local musical is directed and written by Tom Chan, who is the youngest performing director in the Hong Kong theatrical art scene. At 15, he directed the Cantonese version of Grease in 2013. The following year saw to his direction and adaptation of another musical classic Singin’ in the Rain, which Cantonese production was the first in the world to be authorised by MGM. Graduated from Royal Holloway with a degree in Theatre and Philosophy, Chan has been involved in over 20 stage productions, performed in An Exhibition with Loris Greaud and Arnaud Michniak at French Art Festival in 2007 as well as TVB’s Children’s Festival, and worked as an assistant director for Disney’s Alice in Wonderland.

The musical has garnered acclaims for its humorous plot, tuneful score and creative stage visual effects. After a year of adjustment, the show is now taken to the next level with a better paced script, the accompaniment of live music and never-before-seen stage effects at its official opening this summer, featuring local theatre star Emily Kwan, singer Yanki Ding and linguist and actor Ben Sir.

Please note that English surtitles are not provided for the Cantonese show.