Live theatre returns to RCHK. A not so “Grimm” tale
By Lorraine Ng
Cast members in action during the three-day school production, Grimm Tales, from 6-8 December 2022. Photo: Kentaro Kawada
From December 6-8, 2022, RCHK was entertained with a three-day school production, Grimm Tales. Led by the RCHK Performing Arts Department, Theatre Scholars, and the student production team, Grimm Tales was staged in a magical journey through RCHK and showcased the theatre talents within the school community.
The school production was based on the tales of the Brothers Grimm, rewritten by storyteller Philip Pullman in 2012. For the production, five of the many dramatised tales were chosen to be performed by students, including Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Snake-Leaves, The Frog King, and Rapunzel.
Head of Performing Arts at RCHK, Lou Houghton, said the selected tales were chosen based on practicality and content. “Each story requires a small cast which enabled us to rehearse after school within the limitations of [COVID-19] restrictions.” The Performing Arts Centre (PAC) was off-limits due to it being a designated eating area, but the cast was still able to perform around RCHK.
Prospective cast members of the production all had to undergo an audition process. Students had to prepare and perform one of the three designated audition pieces to directors, who then selected the final cast based on audition performance, suitability for respective roles, and the directorial vision for the overall production. However, for those who wanted to contribute to the production through a different role aside from acting, students had other opportunities to assist with stage set-up, lighting, sound, costume and make-up, in addition to marketing and front of house.
When asked about what motivated them to join the production, Year 10 student and Theatre Scholar Kentaro Kawada, said he took part as he has “always wanted to be in an official school production”. Another Year 10 student Ema Poposka, also mentioned that due to COVID-19, there were little or no opportunities to engage in school functions, so joining Grimm Tales was “a great opportunity” to participate in theatre.
Both Kawada and Poposka were involved in the cast of the productions. Kawada took on the role of the protagonist in two productions of Grimm Tales, whereas Poposka played the role of the princess in The Three Snake-Leaves. As part of the cast, they had to attend frequent rehearsals. After-school rehearsals for each production took place twice a week, on top of lunch rehearsals two to three times during the week. Even though “it was challenging balancing out extracurricular activities and rehearsals”, Kawada said the time and effort the cast displayed leading into the production made it “enjoyable for the audience”.
As for the behind-the-scenes preparation for the final production, other than attending rehearsals, Kawada mentioned organisation was an important skill to demonstrate. Simple things, including being punctual to rehearsals, understanding each individual role in the production, and supporting other members of the cast, were vital to the success of the production. Poposka also added that teamwork was essential for a “smooth performance”.
Grimm Tales achieved success, with Houghton calling it “delightful”, especially when much of the production was created under the restrictions of the pandemic. She added that to finally get theatre back at RCHK was a “happy time for us all”.
Participating in school productions can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Kawada encourages all students, regardless of whether their interests lie in theatre, to “definitely join school productions”, saying “theatre is for everyone”.
Houghton agrees that theatre is a “special subject” and teaches everyone “much more than just how to act on stage”. She adds: “You learn how to communicate effectively, negotiate, compromise, lead, contribute ideas, present to others, build your confidence… even if Theatre is not your chosen major, getting involved in a school production will make you feel part of something special”.
For those interested in joining theatre activities in the coming year, keep an eye out for Theatre Clubs commencing after the Chinese New Year Holiday. Also, look out for another school production set to entertain the RCHK community in December 2023.