Latest musical from Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation, ‘24:7:365’ sheds light on life with obsessive-compulsive disorder
- ‘24:7:365’ has more than 40 local aspiring artists co-creating a character with OCD, imbuing the role with their own interpretations
- Medical literature shows disorder affects approximately two per cent of the global population
Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation’s latest musical puts the spotlight on living with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Photo: Edmond So“Harper only wears blue on Tuesdays. Her books have to be arranged by colour. Light switches and door locks must be checked nine times – her magic number,” reads the description of 24:7:365, the latest musical from the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation (HKYAF) and the West Kowloon Cultural District.
This is a glimpse into the life of Harper, the protagonist of the original musical which explores the inner world of a young girl with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
But Harper isn’t played by just one person. More than 40 local aspiring young actors and actresses will co-create the character on stage, imbuing the role with their own interpretations.
One of the young actresses playing Harper is Dionysia Ruth Bizos, 17, from West Island School.
The Year 12 student said the musical depicted authentic life experiences that would be relevant to young people like her.
“What’s so valuable about her as a character is that we get to portray a larger version of people’s experiences with OCD,” she said. “Because we get to include interpretations of so many different parts of this disorder, I think it makes her a really valuable character to play.”
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Writer and director of the play, HKYAF founder Lindsey McAlister said the musical is an abstract portrait of OCD and what it means to those struggling with it every day.
About five years ago, the director worked with a young playwright who wrote a short one-act piece about living with OCD. Through art, McAlister gained a deeper understanding of the disorder.
“Until that point, I was quite ignorant as to what OCD was,” she said.
She explained that OCD was commonly misunderstood in society, with many people associating it primarily with individuals who maintain strict tidiness and order. But McAlister said it was not the full scope of the disorder.
The compulsive behaviour pattern brought by OCD could wreck someone’s life and those around them, she added.
OCD has two main traits: obsessions and compulsions. Those with OCD struggle with unwelcome thoughts and worries along with repetitive activities that help them reduce the anxiety caused by the obsession.
Based on medical literature, the mental disorder affects approximately two per cent of the global population.
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In 2019, one in every eight people in the world lived with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depressive disorders being the most common, according to the World Health Organization. This figure saw an exponential rise during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking on the name of the production, the founder said 24:7:365 embodies the relentless voices in the minds of people with OCD.
To create an authentic theatre experience, the artist worked with health experts and mental health charity Mind HK with the goal of sparking conversations about OCD and mental well-being.
Since 2020, the HKYAF founder has been creating theatrical works about social issues affecting young people today. Previously, the director has drawn inspiration from social media, the LGBTQ community and from body image issues.
“It is so interesting how every single person in the room will be able to come up with their own personal interpretation and be able to portray that on stage,” said McAlister.
As part of HKYAF’s 30th anniversary celebration, “24:7:365” will be available at The Box in Freespace from November 2 to 4. Tickets are on sale now on West Kowloon Cultural District’s official website.