Venue: HK Cultural Centre
Date: 4-7 May
Enquiries: N/A
Website: hongkongsingers.org/

 

The veritable plethora of Tiger Mothers/Monster Parents – choose your label of preference depending on your Hong Kong or mainland affiliations – may have a shot across their bows this month with the arrival of Gypsy, a highly instructional American musical, at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The show launched the career of US composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, and focuses on a hungry, powerhouse of a woman who dreams of propelling her two daughters into show business. It all seems to come to nothing, however, when one runs away and the other becomes a stripper. Nought out of two on the pushy parent front.

The piece is loosely based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, one of the most famous burlesque artists of her day. Legend has it that a dress malfunction saw her shoulder strap give way and her gown tumble to ther feet. It proved the highlight her performance and she seldom kept her kit on, on stage, ever again.

Running from 4 to 7 May, it is particularly recommended for those wanting a catchy song cycle lodged in their head for ever.

Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Date: 14 May
Enquiries: 2840 0162
Website: N/A

For those who like their entertainment to be a little more hard hitting, Rex Tso, the locally-born boxing sensation, will be back in action on 14 May. This time he’s taking on a Korean challenger – Young Gill Bae – as part of a bid to be the first Hong Kong boxer to win a WBA world title. With boxing promoters rarely given to understatement when it comes to promoting even the most sedate of set-to’s, its billing as a Clash of Champions was perhaps only to be expected.

Technically, Tso has to win both this bout and another fight before he can compete for the super flyweight world title. Calling him a champion, then, may be a tad premature, but it’s probably unwise to upbraid him on that one. To his face, at least.

Traditionally, fights in the lower weight range tend to be notably vicious, perhaps due to the inevitable onset of short man syndrome. Those unaware of this particular principle are advised to belittle an inebriated – but height-challenged – LKF reveller of a Saturday night and then blame any resultant offence on their mate. Fortunately, you won’t have to stand too far back at this point, given the limited reach involved.

Venue: Kwai Tsing Theatre
Date: 7-8 May
Enquiries: 2268 7323
Website: lcsd.gov.hk

In a wholly new production, Unlock Dancing Plaza set out to explore the useful- and uselessness of human bodies, all through the oft-bewildering medium of dance. Perhaps counter-intuitively, Ong Yong-lock, the troupe’s artistic director opted to employ this finely-tuned, lithely-limbed company to highlight the peremptory uselessness of the human form. Far more damning, specimens might be found lolling around the foyer during the interval, ignominiously whinging that their intermission G&T is a little too tepid.

According to the show’s pre-publicity, “usefulness is a war of flight, a void of emptiness, some sedimentation and hopes.” The smart thinking is that particular production may be a little on the light side when it comes to belly laughs. Still, should the lack of mirth prove somewhat overweening, you can always have a discrete ponder as to just why the show’s title so blatantly references Peter Pan, while there’s nary a ticking croc, a monodextrous buccaneer or a saucy sprite to be had.

The show’s only on for one weekend in early May, so you won’t have much opportunity to solve that particular conundrum. Book quickly.