History Play (Rehearsed Reading)
Sheung Wan Civic Centre Lecture Hall
2 hours 15 minutes
An original script with new music, rap, folk, metal, madrigals, and Canton opera, History Play is a history play within a history play, playing with Shakespeare’s own history as well as his Histories.
Rooftop Productions, known for devising original works with classics as starting points, take on Shakespeare’s most poetic play, about the life, deposition, and death of King Richard II. Based on historical and literary research, with original music, new writing, and a mashup of cross-cultural anachronisms.
Set in England during the final years of Elizabeth I's reign, Shakespeare is just a minor poet without a university education, whose talent entangles him in the political turmoil of the upper class, as talk of the succession is suppressed, and Elizabeth’s favourites struggle for power. Was Shakespeare a genius out of his time, or a product of it? And how much of his own history or opinion can we excavate in his work? Was this really a golden age?
In his lifetime, Shakespeare’s history plays were massively more popular than his familiar tragedies and comedies widely performed today. Are we missing something that made them more compelling back then? Can the history plays be relevant and accessible without a lecture on the context?
More information
Dates & Tickets
Dates
Duration
2 hours 15 minutes
Ticket Prices
HK$200–280
Audience Information
Language
In Cantonese, with some English. Surtitles in Chinese and English.
Content Advisory
The show lasts for around 135 minutes, feel free to stay for our post-show talk.
Age Recommendation
Children under six will not be admitted.
Ticket Availability
Free Seating, no refunds after confirmation.
Each ticket is valid for one person only.
Smoking, eating, or drinking are prohibited inside the venue.
Photography, recording, and video recording are prohibited without permission.
When purchasing your ticket, please allow sufficient time to arrive at the performing arts venue.
Ticket holders must comply with all other venue rules posted at the venue entrance.
Latecomers will not be admitted until the appropriate time for the performance.
All rights reserved by Rooftop Productions Ltd.
Venue
Sheung Wan Civic Centre Lecture Hall
5/F Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building, 345 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
Getting there
5 minutes from Sheung Wan Station, Exit A2.
Creative and Production Team
Creators | |
Cantonese Lyrics Translation and Writing | |
Lighting Designer | |
Sound Designer | |
Performers | |
Graphic Designer | |
Promotion Photographer | |
Promotion Makeup Artist |
- *Ivor Houlker’s creative roles: Playwright/Composition and Arrangement/English Lyrics/Music Director/Director
- ‡Michelle Li’s creative roles: Script Translation/Cantonese Opera Adaptation & Composition/Cantonese lyrics translation and writing/Producer/Director
- §With kind permission from Musical Trio
Supported by The Hong Kong Arts Development Council: The Hong Kong Arts Development Council supports freedom of artistic expression. The views and opinions expressed in this project do not represent the stand of the Council.
Gallery
About the Artists
Learn more about everyone involved in the production
Ivor Houlker
Ivor Houlker is a multidisciplinary theatre artist, who works internationally as a director, actor, musician, and programmer.
Michelle Li
Michelle Li is an interdisciplinary performer and theatre practitioner in Hong Kong. She has created site-specific theatre works in the UK, Greece, and Sicily, and continues to develop her performing and creative career locally, working as a producer, director, performer, and designer.
Bill Iu
Bill Iu graduated from the School of Humanities, The University of Hong Kong, majoring in Japanese Studies, and from HKAPA, with a major in Acting.
Au Yeung Hon Ki
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Electronic Engineering from City University; BA from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.
Chan Kwun-wang
Chan Kwun-wang graduated from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Design, majoring in Sound System Design.
Chin Wing-kar
Currently a Year-3 student in HKAPA School of Drama, majoring in Acting. Kar loves singing, dancing, especially ballet and contemporary dance, choreography, composing music and is able to play 7 western and eastern musical instruments.
Shirley Wong
Graduated from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2021, majoring in Acting. During her studies, she was awarded the Hong Kong Disneyland Scholarship.
Burton Leung
Burton Leung is a freelance arts practitioner. From a young age, he has been passionate about the stage, singing, dancing, and creating.
Melo Man
Melo Man graduated from the School of Drama, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) Degree in Acting.
Wong Chun-lung
Wong Chun-lung graduated from the School of Drama, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, majoring in Acting.
Alfie Leung
Alfie is a freelance graphic designer/amateur actor/amateur playwright.