Two true stories – a game of Go and a protest – set 80 years apart are interwoven in local scriptwriter Miki To Weng Kei’s latest theatre piece “Moderation” that will kick off the BOK Festival, a locally organised event dedicated to alternative theatre.
“Go”, or “weiqi” in Chinese that literally means “encircling game”, is an abstract strategy board game where two players each aim to use stones to form territories by surrounding vacant areas of the board. According to Wikipedia, the game was invented in ancient China over 2,500 years ago.
“Bok” is the Cantonese pronunciation of a Chinese word, which means “strive,” fight”, or “connect”. Initiated by private organisations, the festival aims to connect theatre spaces, people and performing art groups, here and abroad, with the spirit of encouraging new ideas. It also has a “Give it a Shot” programme that allows experimental pieces, or pieces in progress, a chance to be presented.
In its 5th year, the two-week BOK Festival this year will begin next Wednesday, and the festival’s opening piece will be “Moderation” written by To. Her screenplay “Crash” was nominated for Best Live Action Short Film of the 53rd Golden Horse Award in Taiwan last year.
“Moderation” scriptwriter Miki To Weng Kei (left) and Production Manager as well as performer Leo Fong Kim Fong play a game of Go during a rehearsal session at the Old Courthouse on Wednesday.
