HONG KONG — The Halloween Theater series concluded its fourth production, “Ghost to the End,” on Wednesday night with a special graduation ceremony, capping a 12-show run. Producer Edmond Poon led the cast and audience in singing the school song for the fictional Li Xigui Memorial Secondary School, composed by Ka Wai Chan and Ka Chun Leung. The finale drew family members, including actress Sonija Kwok’s husband, Clark Chu, and their daughter Kylie, who visited backstage before the performance and presented flowers during the curtain call.
Milestone Achievement
This year’s production marked a significant step for the team. Poon emphasized the importance of staging their work in a larger venue, describing it as a risk that paid off. “This is our fourth play, and we’ve finally achieved our goal of performing in a large venue,” he said. “It was a risk, but one must step out of their comfort zone.” He noted that tickets for the fifth season, which will explore haunted house themes, were already on sale from the first performance of the current run, with strong presales despite the cast and creative team still to be announced.
Cast Reflections
Sonija Kwok, making her stage debut after years in film and television, described the experience as transformative. “I feel reborn,” she said. “I let go completely — you’ve never seen me act so wildly.” She credited the cast’s camaraderie, particularly Maidon Mak and Zhifei Ou, for making the production memorable, calling them hilarious and expressing hope for future comedy collaborations.
Tan Sin Yin, performing in her second stage play, found this role markedly different from her previous tragicomedy. “I could feel the audience’s reactions in real time,” she said. “It was full of improvisation and joy.” Her appreciation for the live theater format was evident in her enthusiasm for the spontaneous moments.
Maidon Mak, a veteran of all four Halloween Theater productions, emphasized the group’s support system. “This team supports me unconditionally,” he said. “I’ll never forget their tolerance and hope the series continues annually.” His long-term involvement underscores the series’ appeal to performers who value creative freedom and community.
Newcomers’ Perspectives
First-time stage actors Ansonbean and Day from the group COLLAR shared their reflections. Ansonbean compared the experience to school, saying, “Everyone pushed me to improve. It was a great experience, but it ended too quickly. I’m feeling emotional, and my voice is hoarse.” Day recalled a line from the play — “Feel everything deeply” — which she said guided her throughout the run. Both expressed gratitude for the mentorship they received from experienced cast members.
Looking Ahead
The Halloween Theater series has evolved from a niche production into a anticipated event, blending horror elements with heartfelt storytelling. The success of “Ghost to the End” demonstrates the viability of live horror theater in Hong Kong, attracting diverse talent and a loyal fan base. With presales already underway for the fifth season, which will focus on haunted houses, the team is poised to continue pushing creative boundaries.
As the series enters its fifth year, it remains committed to innovation while fostering a supportive environment for actors at all levels. The haunted house theme suggests a return to more traditional horror, promising a fresh experience for audiences eager for immersive entertainment.
