In-depth observations about life and society do not always come from experts and scholars. The opinions of the "commons" are sometimes more provocative, providing more insights into the complex world. At least this is what Hong Kong playwright Chan Siu Tung noted when he was trapped in an elevator with a postal worker and a water delivery man. The experience inspired him to create the play "Invisible Men", which is chosen by Brotherhood Art Theatre to be their next performance that will go onstage this Friday.
Wong Su Fai, director of the play, thinks that the script is an excellent creation, with a down-to-earth style that is consistent with other plays written by Chan Siu Tung.
"Chan is a very sensitive person who is able to catch elements that are scattered throughout our day-to-day experiences. With only one scene – two people trapped in an elevator, Chan has developed a play that is over one hour long in which he successfully illustrates the conditions of the 'nobody' in the society", he says.
Wong added that while there is only one scene in the play, he finds it amazing that there are many things to be explored in this script that can both entertain the audience and help them reflect on the condition of the current society.
The "Invisible Men" has only two actors: Herbert Chio Kai Ip who plays the water delivery man and Clark Cheung Ka Io, the postal worker. This is not the first time the two work together. But Herbert says that their relationship in this play is different from those in the past.
"We have been working with each other for some time. And I have always been the more aggressive one, while Clark is usually the passive one. However, we have reversed our roles in 'Invisible Men'. So I have to refrain from being aggressive towards him because every time when I showed my usual attitude, the director would remind me that I cannot act like myself anymore".
Herbert describes his character as "kind of an indoorsman or an introvert" who has his own logic and philosophy.
"[The character's] mindset and logic is very different from the stereotypical mindset of a water delivery man. He likes to inquire about the meaning of things and the matters concerning the society – he is a water delivery man with some literary talents."
Meanwhile, Clark agrees with Herbert about the aggressive-passive relationship between the two and suggests that he is usually the passive one in his life as well. While Herbert has been performing onstage since highschool, Clark is a relatively fresh actor, with less than three years of experience onstage.
Originally from Hong Kong and came to Macau several years ago to work in gaming related job, Clark started getting involved in stage performance after leaving the casino and has received some instructions from experienced actors.
He believes that being "think-skinned" helps him experience more and further improves his performance onstage.
In terms of the play and the role of a postal worker in the "Invisible Men", Clark says that this is the first play in which he can have an outburst of profanity onstage, one thing that helps him better portray the character.
"It is easier for me to perform because it is just like I am having a real life conversation with Herbert, with some swear words interwoven in the lines."
Regarding the performance of the two actors, Su Fai says he has set a higher standard for Herbert and Clark because the quality of this play depends heavily on the actors.
"'Invisible Men' is not the type of drama that has impressive stage effects. It is really a play about two actors in one scene. Therefore, the success of the play relies on whether the two actors can portray their characters as if they were real. As a result, I demand them to play the character in a way that the audience will believe in them."
He thinks that this is a challenge for the two actors, which they are capable of handling and both have lived up to his demand.
"If you have had seen their plays before, you might have a higher anticipation towards 'Invisible Men', as the acting skills of both Herbert and Clark have progressed compared to their previous plays", concludes the director.
"Invisible Men"
Venue: Theatre Farmers
Time: July 31 (Friday ) 20:00 20:00
August 1 (Saturday) 15:00 20:00
August 2 (Saturday) 15:00 20:00
Ticket Price: MOP100