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Thu, February 1, 2007
Hard work, but fun!
We've been working on "They're Playing Our Song" for more than two weeks now. It's a lot of hard work because there are only two actors; Sompor (蘇芯寶) and myself; which means the two of us have to know the whole play from start to finish with no breaks, and we have to sing and dance as well. Yes, I said dance! If you come to the play, you'll actually get to see me dance. That by itself will justify the cost of the ticket ;-)
I'm very fortunate. I perhaps always have been. Every stage production I've worked with has turned out to be very good, and this one is no exception. I'm working with great people. Henry the director knows what he wants, and he knows when to ask us to try certain things; i.e., he doesn't ask for everything at once and expect to get it. Sompor is one of the hardest workers I've ever met. Whenever I feel like slowing down or getting lazy, I just look at her and keep going.
Between Sompor and myself, we have nine songs to sing. We have to dance to half of them. One of the songs is particularly difficult. I'm pretty much out of breath by the end of the song and that last sustained note is hard to maintain without breaking. It's a challenge but we'll both succeed. I have confidence that the show will be great fun, for us and the audience.
Six weeks to go…
Copyright 2007 Gregory Charles Rivers 河國榮. All rights reserved.
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on Thu, February 1, 2007, 12:45
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Comments
Good luck on your play. Too bad I'm in California. I haven't been to a play in a very long time.
Posted by: Rennie | Thu, February 1, 2007, 15:52 | Respond to this comment
Is it going to be an Englsih play? If so, will there be subtitles? You know Chinese audience needs the subtitles, or they may not be able to catch up with the story.
Posted by: Daniel Au | Fri, February 2, 2007, 14:51 | Respond to this comment
One more comment.
I would be most interested in listening to you singing Cantonese pop songs, like those of Leslie and Alan Tam.
I heard that you once sang in one of Alan Tam's concerts in Hong Kong. Was it true? Which song did you sing?
If you publish a Canto Pop CD, I shall be interested in buying it. But you seem to have lost the interests in this type of music. It seems you are only interested in singing English and Putonghua ones.
Posted by: Daniel Au | Fri, February 2, 2007, 14:58 | Respond to this comment
Daniel,
it will be an English play with Chinese subtitles. the director knows that these are important so there will definitely be subtitles ;-)
I have indeed lost interest in Canto pop, but not entirely. my problem is that most of today's Canto pop songs are 'factory produced' without any real soul. to make it worse, many of the records produced today have used computers to 'perfect' the vocals. it took me a long time to realise, but the result of the computer 'perfection' is a voice that has no attraction for me whatsoever; monotonous, straight and boring.
if someone approached me with Canto pop songs as good as they used to be, I would gladly sing them, record a CD, and enjoy it, and all without using a computer to 'perfect' my voice ;-)
regards,
Ho Kwok Wing
Posted by: 河國榮 | Fri, February 2, 2007, 19:50 | Respond to this comment
omigoshh! I've been wanting to see this play! Love the songs but have not actually seen a production.. looking forward to a great show! Congrats on the getting the lead role and hope it's a sell-out :)
Posted by: Jo | Fri, February 2, 2007, 23:32 | Respond to this comment
WOW, definitely can't wait to see it!!! Too bad that I missed Perfume :-(
I'm going to the Arts Centre this afternoon to check out if the tickets are available yet.
A determined person like you deserved to be "lucky". Keep up the hard work.
Greg, last but not least.....GOOD SHOW!
Posted by: Wen | Sat, February 3, 2007, 12:07 | Respond to this comment
Wen ;-)
tickets won't be available for sale until after the Chinese New Year, around mid-February. I'll post a notice as soon as they become available.
regards,
Ho Kwok Wing
Posted by: 河國榮 | Sat, February 3, 2007, 13:23 | Respond to this comment
Hello Mr. Rivers.
I'll be coming back to Hong Kong soon to visit my grandparents and my mum. I hope we can finally meet in person, though I won't be able to attend the performance you're having. I arrive a few days after it finishes, bummer :(.
I wish you good luck and a happy new year.
Someone also do me a favour and record it for me so I can watch it :).
Posted by: Median | Sat, February 24, 2007, 12:32 | Respond to this comment
Hello!
I'am first time to go here,
I'am support you!
Posted by: Carman | Thu, March 15, 2007, 19:08 | Respond to this comment