Hong Kong is an open, transnational city. Of the countless overseas nationals who've settled here, French nationals have historically made up a large percentage. Before the pandemic, French Hong Kong residents represented the largest French community in Southeast Asia.
Since the beginning of the twentieth century, French people have been making their way to live in Hong Kong. During the Japanese invasion in 1941, many sacrificed their lives for the city. What motivated them to cross the sea to this small island? What continues to drive French people of all ages and backgrounds to come build a life in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong theatre director and playwright Wu Ho Faileads a young creative team to reexamine the place where he grew up from the perspective of French Hong Kong residents. His quest leads to many questions: What exactly does it mean to be 'French'? When does one become a Hongkonger? What happens when France meets Hong Kong? The answers unfold in this French–Hong Kong love letter addressed to every person who – past or present – has called Hong Kong home.
Pants Theatre Production has promoted documentary theatre since 2013, creating original works like Once Upon a Time in Choi Yuen Chuen, 1967, and What About Art in Hong Kong? Like documentary theatre, ethnographic theatre (ethnotheatre) emphasises real-life source material, but it places more focus on a specific community with an aim to enhance communication both within and outside that group. Examples include Estate Agent, which follows property agents; On the Record, about media workers; Together in Search of Light, about social workers; and Eternal Flame in the Dark, which discusses terminal care. Pas de deux à Hong Kong joins this tradition, exploring the uniqueness of French and Hong Kong cultures and ultimately setting off a dialogue between the two onstage.
Post-performance Talk
A post-performance talk will be held after the performance on June 1.
The running time of the performance is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes with no intermission.
Performed in Cantonese and English with Chinese and English surtitles.
Creator and Director: Wu Hoi Fai
Creator/ Choreographer and Movement Coach: Kenny Leung
Performers: Lui Long Kwan, Melodee Mak Chi Kwan, Michael Mok Kok Pong, Wong Ka Chun, Tang Wing Hong, Liu Ho Man*, Tse Wai Sze, Tam On Ting, Lo Man Yuet Michelle#
Set Designer: Yuen Hon Wai
Costume Designer: Ching Hoi Man
Lighting Designer: Cheng Hoe Ling, Sarah
Composer and Sound Designer: Chau Kin Chung, Keynes
* The 'Arts Artistic Internship Scheme' is supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council
# 2023/24 Arts Talents Internship Matching Programme supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development CouncilPants Theatre Production
Founded in 1995, Pants Theatre Production is a recipient of the Three-Year Grant from the HKADC. Pants defines itself as a 'social witness on stage'. With Wu Hoi-fai as the artistic director, the Company believes that theatre is a way to relate to the society: to respond, reciprocate and reform. Pants Theatre Production has produced a number of inspiring and socially engaged theatre works, while taking three directions towards 'Theatre productions', 'Applied theatre' and 'Research and preservation'. In recent years, the Company focuses more on documentary theatre. Recent critically acclaimed productions include Together In Search of Light, What about Art in Hong Kong, 1967, On the Record etc and translated documentary theatre such as Gross Indecency – The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, The Laramie Project and its sequel.
Wu Hoi Fai
Wu Ho Fai is the artistic director and co-founder of Pants Theatre Production, an examiner of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, and a head adjudicator of the Hong Kong School Drama Festival.
Wu has degrees from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (BA in English), the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (BFA in Drama – Directing), and the Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London (MA in Advanced Theatre Practice – Dramaturgy). He is a recipient of the Yiqingzhai Foundation Arts Fellowship, the Asian Cultural Council, Outstanding Young Director Award from the 2001 Hong Kong Drama Awards, and the Award of the Secretary for Home Affairs' Commendation Scheme in 2017.
Theatre, Sheung Wan Civic Centre 
31.05–01.06.2024 (Fri–Sat) 8 pm01–02.06.2024 (Sat–Sun) 3 pm
$220 
