Sell-out success of Cantonese musical could inspire more large-scale productions of this kind in the city, despite storage and cost challenges
The strong demand for the sold-out Cantonese musical The Impossible Trial suggests that Hong Kong could see more shows of this kind in the future, according to one of its presenters, with its popularity casting a spotlight on all aspects of the production, including its contemporary Chinese aesthetics.
Producing more large-scale, recurring theatrical productions also raises the question of how to store stage sets in a city where space is at a premium. The West Kowloon Cultural District has emphasised this as a key consideration if the city is to develop the industry further.
“It’s easier to recover the costs if we put on a long-running, large-scale production. After all, you need to strike a balance between art and business,” said Paul Tam Siu-man, executive director for performing arts of the district’s managing authority.
“It’s an expensive investment. Week-long shows are almost guaranteed to make a loss. We’re fortunate that our first attempt with The Impossible Trial was a success, which gave us confidence to commission the second, third, fourth and more Cantonese musicals.”
