More performances

The kids from Macau performed a surreal piece entitled "Dreaming on the Wild Sea". I think they wrote this themselves in workshops guided by their teacher. It was in Cantonese; so I didn't understand all of it, but some kids explore a shipwreck and realize that there was another group of children who were trapped on this ship many years before. The plot was lost on me once they started worshipping a shaman becaus eof the language barrier, but I was so impressed with the physicality of the piece. The cast was standing stock still for 15 minutes as the audience entered. Then one group performed in unison the morning ablutions of parents getting ready for work while the other group mimed farmers going about their business. The actors' emotions and reactions were so clearly expressed throughout the play through their movement. Remarkable for 13-15 year-olds.
A mostly non-verbal piece followed, called "Memoria para los Ausentes" (Memorial for the absent ones). Three actors told the story of the thousands of Peruvians who disappeared under a cruel government. Only recently are the families and descendents of some of these desparecidos finding the graves of the lost. The piece was very moving at times but the 3 dancer/actors repeated the captures, tortures, and deaths many times, which detracted from the power of the piece.
The Cantonese Children's Opera Company performed an excerpt from "The Legend of White Snake" (my favorite story form Chinese Opera!!) and then demonstrated characteristic sleeve gestures. The fight scene was amusing with sea creatures fighting the armies of the evil monk as they flodded the temple. It's a complicated story..
Last night we saw a dance company from Germany perform an environmental piece about water. They are classmates of Charlotte's in the HK Express program, and their piece in Victoria Park ROCKED! The mostly Cantonese audience was astounded and very appreciative. Charlotte was inspired to think about environmental dance/drama performance at Nichols.
We had a demonstration of an ESL class by 20 adorable 8-year-olds from HK performing a folk tale about the Moon Festival. They used a few props and chairs and delighted the audience with their expressions and movement. Their English was excellent too! Precious kids.
More tomorrow - last day of the conference. I'll capsulize the workshops I've been taking.
Oh, and yes, Mother, I did get to the night market with Charlotte, and we bought the place out!
Cheers,
Kate