Good Things Happen Thrice
The outside is disturbing, turn inwards to better prepare for our future ──Tang Shu-wing
The past few years have been universally the most emotionally and intellectually provoking, which inspired the three reflections of Tang Shu-wing: “The Unfettered Hour” Solo x “Farewell” Film Screening x “Tang Shu-wing” Painting Exhibition
Presented and Produced by Tang Shu-wing Theatre Studio
Hong Kong Arts Development Council supports freedom of artistic expression. The views and opinions expressed in this project do not represent the stand of the Council.
“The Unfettered Hour” Solo ( Re-run )
During his break time, a radio programme host talked to his wife residing overseas in order to save their marriage. Is he courageous enough?
“The protagonist made an incisive point about the current situation of Hong Kong.” Ting Yu, Theatre Critic
“The theatre craft of Tang Shu-wing has been growing increasingly sophisticated and significant.” Kuh Fei, Theatre Critic
Tang was adept at performing solo and duo works in the 1990s, such as “Miss Margarida’s Way”, “Two Civil Servants in a Skyscraper”, “Two Men on a No Man’s Land” and “Millennium Autopsy”, which are all pioneers of physical and devising theatre. He focused on directing after the millennium and only performed in a handful of ensemble works, yet he was able to transform deftly abstract physical expression into genuine realistic vocabularies. He even won the Best Actor in a Leading Role in the Hong Kong Drama Awards with “Sunshine Station” in 2003. Uncovering some unseen sides of Tang, the premiere of “The Unfettered Hour” received overwhelming critical acclaim among professionals and audience alike with three sold-out performances last year. Now, the show returns, with an additional English version made for international audiences. This is an opportunity that comes once in a blue moon, don’t miss it!
- Running time approximately 1 hour
Hong Kong under Covid-19. The sexagenarian stage actor Ng Wai Shek said farewell to friends before going to teach drama in Singapore in early 2022. One afternoon in November 2021, he chatted to the much younger stage actress Lai Yuk Ching. They have collaborated on a number of projects of Tang Shu-wing but seldom opened up as much as now. This film is a recording of their conversation which covers topics like theatre, love, money and fate.
"Sincere, honest. Worth Seeing! Tang Shu-wing has made a film of this era. " Louis Yu, MH ( Director of the Hong Kong Art School; Former Executive Director, Performing Arts of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority )
When theatres faced closure in the pandemic, Tang used cinema as his way of expression. This film arguably falls between documentary film, fiction film and filmed site-specific theatre piece. In a way, it shows his continuous creative spirit in an ever-changing age, in both form and content.
Hong Kong | 2021 | 80’ | In Cantonese, with Chinese and English subtitles | Colour
**Director Tang will attend the after-screening discussion
"Tang Shu-wing" Painting Exhibition
Tang had learnt ink painting and sketch drawing before pursuing theatre studies in France. This maybe the source of the fantastic and distinctive visual element in his theatre works. During the past few years, he turned what he perceived into abstract images, which can be seen as an act of meditation in unsettling times.
- Free of charge