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Forrest Gump famously said, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” For golden agers who have weathered life’s ups and downs, entering the second half of life isn’t just about taking stock of the past; it’s also about embracing a world of endless possibilities that still lie ahead. This sentiment was beautifully brought to life by the performances at The First Hong Kong Creative Aging Arts Festival.
The pioneering festival, sponsored by Link Together Initiatives and organised by Arts’ Options, concluded successfully on 6 October at the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre in Shek Kip Mei. Under the theme “Enjoy and Immerse in Arts”, more than a hundred professional performers and artists aged 55 to 86 delighted the public with more than 30 programmes, including drama, music, film, dance and exhibition. The event also welcomed experienced golden-age art practitioners from the UK and Singapore, fostering cultural exchange among the three regions.
Channel 823 had the pleasure of interviewing Alan Lyddiard, director of Whispers of Life, and Catherine Sng, a Singaporean actress who performed in the musical theatre piece Sing Ladies. The pair shared their unforgettable experiences and vibrant exchanges during their participation in the festival and their visit to Hong Kong.
Alan, from the UK, has been the artistic director of The Performance Ensemble, a British theatre company featuring performers over 60, since 2014. Speaking about Whispers of Life, Alan explained that both the story and dialogue were tailor-made for the senior actors, crafted from their personal experiences. “Once the elderly reach a certain age after retirement, they may feel forgotten, insignificant and lonely. Through Whispers of Life, I hope to give them a chance to share their seemingly mundane experiences that hold great meaning for them.”
During the performance, the golden-age actors deftly manoeuvred between wooden chairs, gesturing expressively with their arms and legs, sometimes bending in rhythm. Their movements, synchronised to the lively guitar and harmonica music, showcased the vitality of life. As the music faded, they took turns reading out various dates, each followed by a poignant personal story: forced retirement, divorce, the loss of a beloved pet and a vow never to keep animals again. One performer even shared their lingering guilt over not helping someone eating leftovers in a fast-food restaurant. “There is a common misconception that the elderly lack creativity and have no stories to tell. I hope this performance demonstrates that seniors lead rich, complex lives and have much to contribute to the community, fostering greater empathy from the audience.”
What magic unfolded when Alan joined forces with Hong Kong’s senior actors? “There were many memorable moments during rehearsals. Although not every performer spoke English, we found a common language in body movement and gestures, and we became good friends.”
Alan noted that the primary difference between Whispers of Life and other productions was its intimate connection to the performers’ personal experiences. This required additional effort during rehearsals to remind the actors not to “act”: “Each senior performer had over 500 hours of drama training under their belt, and slipping into character on stage was second nature to them. This time, I specifically reminded them to step out of the actor’s role and simply be themselves, sharing their authentic stories.”
As a key figure in shaping this milestone in Hong Kong’s senior arts development and cultural exchange with the UK, Alan reflected on the experience with warmth: “I’ve been collaborating with the organisations in Hong Kong for more than two decades now, witnessing the growth of senior arts here. Thanks to Link’s sponsorship and the power of social media, we’re seeing senior arts reach more audiences in the community than ever before. This model has been truly inspiring, and I’m eager to apply the insights to my current work back in the UK.”
Catherine Sng, a Singaporean actress, performed in a musical theatre piece Sing Ladies as part of the festival. “Our production tells the story of three golden-age Singaporean women from diverse backgrounds coming together,” Catherine explained. “Through their journey, we aim to inspire seniors to pursue their dreams and embrace lifelong learning, proving that age is no barrier to personal growth.”
As the founder of The Glowers Drama Group, Singapore’s first bilingual senior citizens’ theatre group, Catherine is well-versed in the realm of senior arts festivals. Her group has performed at Singapore’s Silver Arts Festival, Malaysia’s Georgetown Festival, and Japan’s Gold Theatre Festival in Saitama.
Catherine was particularly impressed by the joyful song and dance performances in The Final Escape, another production featured in the festival. She expressed her hope for future collaboration between her group and Arts’ Options on a joint stage production. “In Singapore, we have a concept called ‘Le Ling’. ‘Le’ means happiness and ‘Ling’ means ageing—it embodies our aspiration for seniors to lead fulfilling lives in their golden years. I hope performers from both regions will have more opportunities to exchange ideas and hone their skills through collaborative stage projects in the future. More importantly, such collaborations would provide a wonderful platform to showcase senior citizens’ vibrant, multifaceted nature to communities near and far.”
