Overview
Description
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Overview
Thought-provoking stories of identity and self-expression from youngsters coming of age in contemporary times
Devised and created by Rooftop Productions and the young artists of HKAPA’s School of Drama, Songs of Innocence and Experience is a vibrant, multidisciplinary work around the stories of a group of young people negotiating their path to adulthood in contemporary Hong Kong.
Through a fragmented montage of theatre, live original music, high culture and pop culture references, camera play and projections from Blake’s illustrated versions of Paradise Lost, the production offers a lively, humorous and poignant reflection on the drive and passions of youth.
Songs of Innocence and Experience takes its name from the work of William Blake, and inspiration from John Milton’s Paradise Lost and Areopagitica. Contemplating the eternal struggles of youth – between respecting authority and wanting freedom, and forging meaningful new pathways as emerging adults – the production plays with the angel-devil duality of Milton’s work, and the hybridity of contemporary Hong Kong society, to explore individual and universal journeys to self-identity.
First staged at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2022, the production has been developed and adapted for The Box. The new production features a revised script, original and new ensemble and band members, and enhanced scenography and projection design.
Songs of Innocence and Experience was nominated for Scenography of the Year and Director of the Year at the IATC (HK) Critics Awards 2023.
“Extraordinarily playful and passionate, bringing balance to the serious topic being dealt with.” – William Chan, Art critic, International Association of Theatre Critics (Hong Kong)
“Telling stories of fallen angels, they make the audience consider their own relationships with power.” – Kuh Fei, Art critic, RTHK Arts News
This programme is co-presented and co-produced by WestK and Rooftop Productions, and is part of the WestK Creators series.
About WestK Creators
WestK Creators celebrates contemporary Hong Kong artists working across a variety of performing arts disciplines, contexts and forms. Encouraging exchange and collaboration, the series showcases innovative original productions, and nurtures experimentation and new perspectives for the Hong Kong performing arts scene.
Curated and produced by the Contemporary Performance Team of West Kowloon Performing Arts Division, WestK Creators promotes diverse creative voices and aesthetics, supports new work development, and facilitates the creation process from concept to stage, through residencies, research and development opportunities and work-in-progress presentations.
Creative and Production Team
Co-producer and Director: Michelle Li
Director and Music Director: Ivor Houlker
Lighting Design: Kaki Lai
Sound Design: Allison Fong Tsz-ching
Set and Costume Design: Tiffany Lau^
Live Video Mix and Camera Network: Calvin Chan@Polygon Lab
Technical Integration Design: Homan So*
Collaborating Performer and Choreographer: Ami Lee On-sang
Collaborating Performers and Choral Practice Leaders: Sherrain Sum Cheuk-yiu, Joseph Cheung Cheuk-hang
Collaborating Performers: Lo Man-chak, Caroline Chan Yuen-yu, Alex Chew Yu-yeung, Sin Lok-yan, Mak Ho-tin△, Michael Mok Kok-pong
Live Band Musicians: Wu Lui-fung*, Karkar Chin Wing-kar*, Sung Kwok-tung*, Ivy Tsang Yuen-lam, Chan Wing-yung#, Tiffany Ngan Sze-man#, Justin Kwok Chun-hin#
Creative Co-ordinators: Thomas Yau^, Becky Wong^
Project Co-ordinators: Lawrence Lai^, Loui Yuen^
Deputy Producer: Meredith Wong^
Co-producer, Curator of WestK Creators series: Bobo Lee^
Promotional Image Illustration: Li Chi-tak
*With support and kind permission of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
#With kind permission of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in support of the internship programme
△With kind permission of Alice Theatre Laboratory
^Staff of West Kowloon Cultural District
Co-presented and Co-produced by
Supported by
Rooftop Productions' involvement in this programme is supported by Hong Kong Arts Development Council.
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.
Musical Instrument Sponsor
Audio Technical Support
