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What kind of sparks will fly when the sophistication of musical theatre collides with the simplicity of a grassroots community? Since October 2023, the Link Together Initiatives has sponsored the Art Mentor Education Foundation (AMEF) in organising Musical Box, an English musical theatre programme tailored for children. This initiative aims to provide professional training in singing, dancing and stage performance to children primarily from Hong Kong’s grassroots families. Beyond simply exposing children to music and the arts, the programme also serves as a platform for enhancing their English communication skills and nurturing confidence.
In mid-March, around 60 school children participating in the project converged at Link’s Tin Shui Shopping Centre in Tin Shui Wai for a public performance of excerpts from the musical production titled The Miracle of Music. The performance attracted a sizable crowd of spectators from the local community, effectively promoting the musical theatre culture and marking the initial strides towards integrating art into community life.
Susanna Lo, the founder of AMEF, expressed her organisation’s longstanding commitment to providing opportunities for underprivileged students in Hong Kong to engage with English musical theatre: “While many children have a passion for singing and dancing, not all families have the means to facilitate their participation in English musical theatre productions. Last year, we came across the Link Together Initiatives online and decided to submit an application, ultimately receiving a grant. We aspire for this English musical theatre programme, Musical Box, to introduce more children to the realm of English musical theatre. By providing them with professional training, we aim to help them discover and cultivate their talent, creativity and potential.”
Susanna explains that the programme is divided into two terms, each of which culminates in a public mini showcase. “Today’s performance at Tin Shui Shopping Centre marked the first public appearance by the first-term participants following three months of training. Many of them come from Tin Shui Wai, where the shopping centre is located, as well as Tuen Mun and Yuen Long. Being able to perform in this neighbourhood community makes today’s performance all the more meaningful.”
The Miracle of Music narrates the journey of Annabell, an orphan left by her birth parents and subsequently adopted by her foster parents, who recognise her musical aptitude and provide her with professional training. As Annabelle undergoes her musical journey, she gradually unravels the reasons behind her parents’ decision to relinquish her. Susanna explained, “The Miracle of Music encapsulates a narrative of familial love, brimming with both joyous moments and poignant reflections. For children in their formative years, the musical serves as an inspirational and educational experience. We aspire that through this journey, children will not only enhance their English proficiency and performance skills but also foster a compassionate and optimistic outlook towards life.”
Winky Lau, portraying the protagonist Annabelle, reflects on her experience after the show: “I’ve always held a keen interest in musical theatre, and my parents encouraged me to participate in this programme. The most challenging aspect of the learning process was mastering the choreography, especially while singing in English. It demanded extensive practice.” Despite encountering challenges, she rated her performance an eight out of 10, noting, “The slippery stage due to the rain slightly affected my performance.”
Eric Law, a newcomer to English musical theatre, showcased his dedication during the performance by executing a cartwheel. “I approached it with total seriousness. I rehearsed for three months and practiced extensively at home, so I wasn’t too nervous today,” he shares.
Eric’s mother, present at the performance, recounts how she learnt about the Link-sponsored musical theatre project from a friend. “After speaking with Eric and discovering his interest, we decided to enrol him to explore his potential in performing. He did very well today; his enthusiasm was palpable!"
Training 60 students aged six to 16 for the English musical over three months posed significant challenges for Jacqueline Law, the instructor of Musical Box. “Some of the children are quite young, necessitating additional time for English pronunciation drills,” she said. “I also had to acquaint them with the musical’s storyline and guide them in expressing it through singing and movement. Singing and dancing simultaneously proved challenging for them as well. However, witnessing their application of three months’ worth of learning in today’s community event made all our efforts worthwhile. Everyone performed admirably!"
Jacqueline divulged that the Tin Shui Shopping Centre performance is a prelude to a ticketed graduation performance scheduled for September. Those interested in witnessing their performance should stay tuned for further details!
