MedeaThe Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) will present Medea, an ancient Greek tragedy written by Hedy Esmail (based on original materials from stories by Euripides and Ovid) at the Academy Studio Theatre from 29 January to 2 February. Directed and adapted by Lam Kin-fung (School of Drama graduating student who majors in directing), this drama attempts to reinterpret the ancient materials in a contemporary context — besides using male actors to play female roles, a modern character who escapes from prison is also added to the plot. This production is in collaboration with the School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts, with the School’s students and faculty in charge of the design and production of the set, costume, lighting, sound and props, bringing together the talents from both Schools.

The drama starts with a woman who escapes from prison and hides in an abandoned building in the suburbs. In fear, she prays to her Gods for comfort, which wakes spirits in the building to tell an old myth about Medea… Foreign princess Medea abandoned everything for her lover Jason, following him to live a new life in the civilised city of Collins. Yet, shortly after they settled down, Jason left her to marry the princess of Collins. Desperate at her lover’s betrayal, Medea was in agony and set out on a fiery path of revenge…