New black box theatre shows that small can be beautiful
'Stage-less' venue in Kowloon welcomed by arts groups
The government has built its first black box theatre to meet the growing demand for smaller performance spaces, but the arts community says it is desperate for more.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department spent HK$5.5 million to transform an exhibition hall at Kwai Tsing Theatre into the 3,700 sq ft venue. It has been left sparse to offer maximum flexibility for different performance needs.
The theatre can seat 144 people and is intended to serve as an alternative to existing spaces at the Fringe Club and the McAulay Studio at the Hong Kong Arts Centre for groups wanting to stage small-scale shows.
Peter Wu Chun-wah, the department's New Territories South and cultural services senior manager, said the idea for the renovation emerged in 2006 but approval was given only last year.
'We revamped the exhibition hall to meet the needs of performing arts groups,' Mr Wu said. 'It is designed in a way that meets what performing arts groups need.'
Black box theatres grew popular in the 1960s and '70s with the rise of experimental drama, which sought to redefine the relationship between performers and their audience.
Seating at the Kwai Tsing Theatre allows people to be close to the actors, and soundproofing keeps out noise. The result is a quiet and intimate, almost 'stage-less', setting.
Performing arts groups that have tried out the new theatre appreciated the department's efforts but said one new theatre was not enough for grooming new talent.
Chan Chu-hei, associate director of Horizon Theatre Studio, which is staging eight shows at the new venue, said he was excited about the new space as there had been a serious lack of small theatres for more than 10 years.
'The lack of venues has created an obstacle to the development of Hong Kong's theatre, especially theatre done by smaller groups,' Mr Chan said.
'Many groups want to do experimental shows, which usually attract a smaller audience, and these shows can serve as good training for actors.'
Andy Wong Ting-lam, resident choreographer of DanceArt, which staged four trial shows at the black box theatre, complimented the theatre's design.
He said that the government was a bit slow in reacting to the demand from the arts community by taking so long to build a black box theatre.
'If there are more small theatres, more artists can have the opportunity to express themselves,' Mr Wong said. 'Hong Kong needs a theatre like this.'
Mr Wu said that based on feedback from users and arts professionals, the department would decide whether to build more black box theatres or small theatres, but there was no plan yet to convert any existing facilities into theatres.
Hiring details will be announced before the end of this month. The black box theatre would be opened to the public in August, Mr Wu said.
