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Hong Kong-based arts group the Nonsensemakers will present "The Proof", Part Two of "The Notebook", in August. The stage production is adapted from the acclaimed novel "La Preuve" by Ágota Kristóf and explores the cruelty of war.
In early 2012, the Nonsensemakers presented Part One of a trilogy, "The Notebook", a production that incorporated sand painting, masks and physical movement. It was an exciting work that took the local theatre scene by storm, creating a brand new viewing experience for the audience and winning both popular and critical acclaim. The production received Best Score and was named among the Top Ten Most Popular Productions at the Hong Kong Drama Awards, and was nominated for Best Overall Performance, Best Actress and Best Costume Design. For 2013, the group is presenting "The Proof", Part Two of "The Notebook", similarly using sand painting, masks and physical movement to tell what happens after Part One. This is definitely a performance not to be missed.
"The Notebook" ended with twin boys living in two cities. In "The Proof", one of them walks over their father's dead body and crosses the border to another country, while the other stays to be with their grandmother. Lucas, who stays behind and lives alone, tries hard to help the underprivileged and the unfortunate around him. He takes in a woman and her illegitimate child, he delivers food to a priest's house, he listens to the owner of a stationery shop about his long-harboured dream of becoming a writer, and he attempts to comfort a woman whose husband had been sentenced to death. In a land of war, these stories are direct reflections of the human soul.
No matter how ferocious we are, we can never be more so than war.
"The Proof" is adapted by Law Chung-kin, directed by Rensen Chan and produced by Jo Ngai, and the main cast includes Masu Wong, Ip Man-chong, Yeung Kwok-ming and Cat Lee. Live sand painting will be performed by Jo Ngai and the masks are being designed and produced by Ben Kwong.
Ágota Kristóf's first work "The Notebook" took the literary world by storm upon its publication. It was followed by "The Proof" and "The Third Lie", which completed an acclaimed trilogy. "The Third Lie" was awarded the French book prize Prix du Livre Inter. Ravaged by war and leading a life of exile, Kristóf had forged a literary style that was distinguished by a scalpel-like starkness.
"The Proof" is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. It will be performed in Cantonese at 8pm on August 30 and 31 (Friday and Saturday) and at 3pm on September 1 (Sunday) at the Auditorium, Yuen Long Theatre. Tickets priced at $120, $160 and $200 are now available at URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by credit card telephone booking. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for full-time students and CSSA recipients are available on a first-come, first-served basis). A maximum discount of 20 per cent is offered for the group booking package. Please refer to the programme leaflet for details. The production contains sensitive adult themes and is not suitable for those aged 12 and below.
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7325 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/theatre/program_294.html. Ticketing enquiries can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone bookings on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Friday, July 19, 2013
Issued at HKT 11:00
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