Overview
A touring performance of the acclaimed Macau play February 29, a classic production by Hiu Kok Theatre. This award-winning humorous comedy explores themes of family, aging, and loneliness with both laughter and poignant emotion.
Awards & Recognition
- Swept multiple awards at the Hong Kong and Macau Drama Festivals for Best Script, Performance, and Actor.
- Frequently staged in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Mainland China (Zhuhai, Foshan, Shenzhen, Wuhan), and Southeast Asia to critical acclaim.
- Featured program at the Zhuhai Arts Festival, Wuhan Literature Season, 'Art Narrates the Greater Bay Area' Performance Season, and the Greater Bay Area Joy Festival.
Critical Acclaim
- Mou Fan Zhong: "This is a humorous comedy. With good-natured teasing, it gently sketches the image of an old woman over seventy, whose remaining days are like 'February 29'—extra, unearned—yet who still dreams of a 'February 30'."
- Du Zihan: "Yuen Man Yee delivers the old woman's adorable and optimistic character to perfection, vividly portraying the images and relationships of the old man and her children, with excellent handling of role transitions."
Performance Details
- Dates: February 29 & March 1, 2024
- Time: 19:45
- Venue: Macau Cultural Centre Small Theatre
- Ticket Price: MOP 250
- Language: Performed in Cantonese, with Chinese subtitles.
- Duration: Approximately 60 minutes.
- Age Restriction: Not suitable for audiences under 13.
Synopsis
February 29 is a classic repertoire piece of Hiu Kok Theatre. In 1993, it competed in Hong Kong and won multiple major awards at the Hong Kong Drama Festival, standing out among nearly a hundred competing teams. The play is full of laughter until the final, tear-jerking moment. It has since been performed at the Chinese Theatre Festival and continues to be staged frequently in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia.
The story follows an old woman born on February 29. She has eight children, but they are all scattered. Although one son and one daughter live in Macau, they only check on their mother via phone calls and rarely visit in person.
On her 'once-every-four-years' birthday, the old woman gets ready early, expecting her children and grandchildren to celebrate with her. However, her eager anticipation is ultimately cooled by their 'busyness.' Her daughter calls to say she cannot come. When the old woman tries to call her son over, she ends up just asking about his well-being, hiding her deep longing. Is she really looking forward to celebrating her rare birthday? Perhaps the birthday is just an excuse, a reason for her children to have a reason to visit. She would rather endure loneliness than disturb her children's lives.
Production Team
- Director & Playwright: Lei U Leong (Renowned Macau Playwright)
- Starring: Yuen Man Yee
- Executive Director: Lo Iao Wa
- Artistic Director: Hoi Kuok Kun
- Producer: Yeong Pan
- Literary Consultant: Mok Yan Yan
- Set & Costume Design: Tsang Weng Wai
- Lighting Design: To Kwok Hong
- Assistant Producers: Tong Lok Lam, Fong Sin
- Stage Managers: Iam In Fei, Tsang Weng Wai
- Executive Stage Manager: Tong Lok Lam
- Makeup: Choi Yuk Teng
- Tour Manager: Leong Ieng
- Publicity Manager: Leong Choi U
Organizers & Support
- Organizer: Hiu Kok Experimental Theatre
- Funding: Macau Cultural Development Fund
- Support: Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Macau Cultural Centre, SIDIAN ART
