Interview by William Chan
Mabina Choi Leng Chi, the theatre director of the local Big Mouse Kids Drama Group, revealed to the Post last week that the young students of its three-year drama training programme will be presenting the play “Game Cheater” at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre on Saturday and Sunday.
The interview was held at the group’s studio in Ilha Verde district.
Established in 2012, the Big Mouse Kids Drama Group aims to introduce drama to local children and teens, cultivating their artistic qualities and fostering cultural participation and appreciation from a young age. The Post has published several interviews with the art group and with Choi.
One notable interview with Choi took place in mid-2023*, when she worked with high school students from Escola Dom Luís Versiglia, a boys’ boarding school in Coloane’s Ka Ho village. Many of the students come from complex family backgrounds, often deprived of love and stability.
By contrast, Choi noted that the cast of “Game Cheater” come from more privileged backgrounds. Despite this, they face their own set of challenges. “Even with heavy schoolwork, they come to practise several times a week, with longer sessions leading up to performances,” Choi said.
Inspired by the Japanese anime series Solo Leveling, “Game Cheater” imagines a world transformed into a game-like reality where humans must slay monsters, each assigned a combat level. The protagonist becomes the world’s strongest human, and the story explores themes of life and death, friendship and betrayal, and the value of life itself.
“We put great care into the story because it mirrors the lives of these young performers,” Choi noted. She added that, at the start of the programme, many students had yet to appreciate the value of working together and some would often arrive late. “Most of them took things for granted, having never lacked material comfort or love. The primary goal of the lessons, programme, and performance is for them to learn.”
Over the course of the year-long programme, Choi observed the students gradually realising what truly matters in life, learning to value the things around them and to reconsider their understanding of right and wrong. “For example, there’s a scene where the female protagonist, a long-time friend of the main character, betrays him by stealing his power. Reflecting on this, the students developed a sense of justice and a strong dislike for betrayal. Through such experiences, they collectively reflect on what is good and bad, mirroring the story of the protagonist.”
Rehearsal Review
In my opinion, drama remains one of the less developed aspects of student life. Parents are often less motivated to enrol their children in drama classes, as there are no certificates and it is seldom recognised as a “skill” in the same way as learning a musical instrument.
However, I would argue that drama’s impact is much broader and deeper. Having interviewed Choi and observed her projects for years, I believe drama’s effect on teenagers is both transformative and far-reaching. Perhaps it is because drama develops expressive skills and fosters conversation and interaction – qualities increasingly lacking in today’s digital world.
Reflecting on my first interview with Choi, I was struck not only by her ability to inspire her students, but also by how much she herself is inspired by them. Every creative idea, mistake, or cute gesture from her students is met with her encouragement and genuine enthusiasm.
Personally, I find it challenging to stay open to the creativity of young people, especially as there is often societal pressure – particularly for boys – to distance ourselves from childhood and perceived immaturity as we grow older. Yet, through thoughtful reflection, it becomes clear just how much these young performers have to offer.
“Game Cheater” is a musical, featuring acting, singing, and even dancing. The storyline is dense and full of twists. It is clear the students have poured much effort into understanding their characters and delivering strong performances.
Having had the opportunity to observe their rehearsals, I was amazed by their maturity. Not only are they able to recognise their own mistakes, but they also readily suggest improvements. This is a testament to how well they have been trained - and, perhaps without realising it, how valuable these skills will be in their lives.
As the curtain rises this weekend, “Game Cheater” promises not only to entertain but also to showcase the growth and collaboration of its young cast. Under Choi’s guidance, these students have not only learnt the art of performance but have also discovered important life lessons about teamwork, responsibility, and empathy. To purchase tickets, visit: https:/facebook.com/bigmouse.KDG
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https://www.macaupostdaily.com/news/18209
This undated file photo shows Mabina Choi Leng Chi posing. – Photo provided by Choi
The “Game Cheater” cast members rehearse at the group’s studio in Ilha Verde district last week. – Photos: William Chan
