From the original Evita to an Irish Swan Lake, the best Hong Kong theatre of 2018 was from overseas
- Theatre companies from Ireland, Oklahoma, Slovenia and the UK put on the top stage shows in the city
- Angel’s Bone, a commentary on human trafficking, was the best of the performances
This year’s most memorable stage productions came mostly from overseas, with Angel’s Bone, a contemporary opera presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department as part of its New Vision Arts Festival, topping the list.
Composed by Shanghai-born and New York-based Du Yun, the Pulitzer-winning piece is a hard-hitting commentary on human trafficking and a gritty portrayal of human vulnerability and greed. A cash-strapped couple find a pair of angels that have fallen into their backyard, but instead of helping them they turn the heavenly creatures into tools to make money.
Some scenes were brutal and made for uncomfortable viewing, but given the subject matter, such honest treatment makes the work more powerful. Du’s haunting music matches the dark tone of the piece to a tee, while the singing from the cast was phenomenal.
The multimedia elements, such as the video projection in the background, added to the dramatic tension of the performance.
