Play pays unique tribute to Hong Kong university

After having published more than 100 books and sold millions of copies, mostly business-themed novels, Hong Kong writer Anita Leung Fung-yee has written a play, entitled My Love, in which she also plays the lead role.

The play, which premiered at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in late August, 2018, and was then staged at the MJ Fox Theater in Vancouver, Canada, last October, will make its debut on the mainland at Beijing's Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, where it will be staged from March 2 to 4. It will then be staged at Shenzhen's Poly Theater from April 18 to 20.

The play is a love story, which spans generations.

It follows the life of a successful businesswoman, against the backdrop of events, such as Hong Kong's economic take-off in the 1970s, the financial crisis in the 90s, Hong Kong's return to the motherland in 1997 and the SARS epidemic of 2003.

Leung, also an accomplished businesswoman, has dedicated the play to the Chinese University of Hong Kong, as a gift marking the university's 55th anniversary.

The play, produced by the Federation of the Alumni Association of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, is performed and produced by the university's alumni, including producer Chan Kin-bun and director Stephen Shin, both graduates of the university.

Leung, who was born in Hong Kong in 1949, enrolled to study history at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1966 and gained her PhD in 1985.

Speaking about her role as a student in the play, Leung, whose novels have been adapted into films and TV dramas, says: "I love acting though I am not a professional actress.

"The protagonist is a pretty young woman, who goes into business studies after graduation. Besides beauty, she is smart and works hard," Leung adds.

"Also, through the play, audiences can see the history of Hong Kong."

During the show, historic photos of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong are projected on the large screen at the back of the stage help the audience travel through time and space.

According to Chan, almost 140 alumni competed for the 20 roles in the casting process for My Love.

Explaining why this was the case, he says: "The Chinese University of Hong Kong has had a tradition for theater since the 1970s. And there are theater competitions and performances every year. So, many of the alumni work in the field of theater after graduation."

"Also, we want to show (through the casting) the sense of belonging and pride as members of the university."

Chan adds that all the ticket revenues will be donated to the Chinese University of Hong Kong.