Bible-themed drama illuminates migrants’ plight this summer

Local theatrical association Theatre Farmers will join forces with Hong Kong’s Sky Theatre Creative and Tornado Creative Theatre to present an enlightening stage drama on July 17 and 18. The production aims to reveal the dilemmas and discrimination facing migrants in their new living environments.
As its name “Book of Ruth” suggests, the drama is based on the biblical tale, and around 100 youngsters are dedicated to the project. Audience members will not only enjoy local students’ acting, as well as the singing and dancing performed by their Hong Kong peers, who will also be responsible for backstage duties.
For the show’s playwright-director, Charles Chan,
the collaborative work was inspired by the hardship experienced by migrant minorities, such as south Asians, in both SAR regions. In the play, all parties will be reminded of their own adverse experiences in order to learn more about the issue.
“The show, at some points, forces the youths involved and the audience to reflect on how those problems could be solved. The expatriates also experience some grievances. Through the show, the youth see ways in which we could give migrants a chance and help them out,” said Chan. “The messages in the bible are often significant; the story’s gist is to stick to your beliefs while facing obstacles, and you’ll eventually find hope.”
The biblical tale touches on the adversity of a Moabite lady called Ruth in Bethlehem, where she lives with her mother-in-
law, Naomi. As an outsider, she encounters daily hardship and discrimination inflicted by the people within the Palestinian city.
Despite being a one-
hour ferry away from each other, students from Hong Kong and Macau rehearse separately with the help of visual aids and staff members from each other’s groups. Hong Kong students will only come to Macau one week before the drama kicks off in summer. The Student Union at the University of Macau will also host the arriving students at the Hengqin campus as part of the exchange, where students spend four nights together to deepen their cultural ties.
Anita Seak, who dabbled in drama for five years, told the Times that she very much cherished the opportunity to perform in what they regarded as a rare collaboration.
“To me, this is a very meaningful event, as it’s like a charity show. The story is also very inspiring, and I don’t mind spending a summer vacation spreading such a meaningful message,” she
said. Staff reporter