《黑色星期一》SCMP 48 hrs 雜誌訪問

http://www.scmp.com/magazines/48hrs/article/1618524/arts-preview-black-monday-depicts-issue-work-related-stress-humour

Arts preview: Black Monday depicts the issue of work-related stress with humour

Vanessa Yung

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ERIC TANG (LEFT) AND TYSON CHAK

BLACK MONDAY
O Theatre Workshop

 Stress, struggle and suffocation: these are some of the words that scriptwriter Cancer Chong Mui-ngam and director Olivia Yan Wing-pui mention repeatedly during our chat about Black Monday, which is set to open with a suicide in its very first scene. So it is hard to picture O Theatre Workshop's latest production as a comedy about work-life balance.

But that's precisely the point. The duo thought it was important to adopt a humorous approach to a story about the work-related stress and restlessness that people suffer. They say they do not want to produce an overly depressing show, or make the audience feel worse than they already do.

"There is a hint of death to the story," says Chong. "It is surprising how a job can drive someone to desperation, although it is common for people to feel suffocated. The question is, do we want to drive ourselves to a point where there is no turning back?

Tree Kwok as a domestic helper

"We want the audience to look at how they may behave in real life and realise that the different attitudes tell the nine characters apart — especially the one who commits suicide," says Chong.

"There're many problems in life that cannot be solved, but if you can see things from another perspective, it opens up new possibilities."

A domestic helper, played by Tree Kwok Chui-yi, has a positive attitude even though she must work outside her home country. Her optimism is in stark contrast to actress Rosa Maria Velasco's working mum, who finds it hard to strike a work-family balance, and Tyson Chak Hoi-tai's confused music composer, who is torn between his pursuit of artistic freedom and the commercial marketplace.

As part of the research for their roles, the cast members asked a variety of vox pop questions on the street: Do you enjoy your job? What is your ideal life? What will your retirement be like? They hope their audience will also contemplate such issues.

The successful doctor, played by Chu Pak-him spends his free time doing Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and is the most concrete representation of Chong and Yan's views on work, life and dreams. "Everyone is dealing with different problems and we use Brazilian jiu-jitsu to symbolise that struggle," says Yan.

"It's a ruthless combat sport; it's harsh, it's painful and the only thing you can do is keep on fighting. The effort it takes to put up with challenges deserves appreciation. Life in itself is a struggle — either you give up and stop fighting, or you continue and struggle on," Yan says.

Chu Pak-him as a doctor

Kwai Tsing Theatre Auditorium, 12 Hing Ning Road, Kwai Chung, October 31-November 1, 8pm, November 1-2, 3pm. HK$120-HK$380 Urbtix. In Cantonese. Part of New Vision Arts Festival. Inquiries: 2370 1044