The Art Venue Bi-Weekly Issue 004 - Cover story: Theatre director: Lo Ching Man

…the living conditions of the sub-divided units

were far below their imagination.

‘Do not follow the values set by others, seek your own.’
Theatre director Lo Ching-Man

Carmen Ching-man Lo is a veteran theatre director, playwright and actor in Hong Kong. She is a former senior actor/director of the Chung Ying Theatre Company and established Cinematic Theatre in 2002 with a focus on original works which explore the horizons and soul of modern people, especially for young audience.

Back in the 80s, her play <The General Rules > was awarded championship in the first “On Hong Kong Stage” one-act play script writing competition jointly organized by Radio Hong Kong, Hong Kong Arts Centre and Seals Players. She also presented an experimental theatre production at the City Contemporary Gallery in the CCDC Dance Centre without audience seats and filled the gallery with sand. Later, she was a joint playwriter of the movie “Viva Erotica”, starring Leslie Cheung.

Taking on dual role as director and playwright in a production was not a norm in the Hong Kong theatre scene back then, Carmen considered herself a rebellious theatre worker who is keen to break through the traditions as in the theatre history, many, including Shakespeare and Samuel Beckett were the director and script writer at the same time. They became influential before their 40s.

Cinematic Theatre’s production <My Luxurious 50 Sq ft Life> has received overwhelming responses. Carmen told us that they had spent a lot of time in doing research and the living conditions of the sub-divided units were far below their imagination. She believes that theatre is a platform to respond to social issues and to give the general public a way out from the cruel reality.

Besides presenting productions, Cinematic Theatre has organised <Young Playwright Scheme> for 7 years and has published two volumes of the scripts from this scheme to document the works of the young playwright. The winner of the 5th Young Playwright Scheme, Jun Li is the actor-director of the movie, <Tracey>. His winning theatre work <Song of Grief> has been co-directed by Carmen and Ben Yuen, who has recently been awarded the Best Supporting Actor for his performance in <Tracey>.

Carmen thinks theatre cannot and should not change the world, 'its only a starting point to spark thoughts and inspire audience to explore their core values. The value set by others is not necessarily right, it's important for audience to think for themselves, what is right and what is wrong.'