HONG KONG – A new chapter in Hong Kong’s theatrical landscape opened Wednesday night as “The Big Dragon” (Daai Lung Fung), the inaugural stage play from production house “One Cool Stage,” premiered to a sold-out house at the Free Space Box in the West Kowloon Cultural District. The production, which brings together a mix of seasoned screen actors and stage newcomers, was met with thunderous laughter and a standing ovation.
Produced by actor Louis Cheung alongside Cheung Chi-man and Guo Fu, and directed by Chu Pak-him (who also stars), the play features a dynamic ensemble cast including Liu Tsz-yu, Ho Ka-lee, Ng Bing, Wong Tsz-kiu, Tsui Ho-cheong (known as “Fat Cheung”), Tong Kwan-chi, Hui Yuet-sheung, Chiu Kwan-yu, Li Yu-zhen, and Wong Sze-wing. The premiere attracted a glittering audience, with celebrities like Kay Tse, So Yuk-wa, the comedy group “Little Eggplant,” and hip-hop duo Fama in attendance. The biggest applause came for Louis Koo, the famed actor and company boss, who made a personal appearance to show support.
A First-Time Producer’s Emotional Triumph
For Louis Cheung, best known for his film and television roles, taking on the role of producer proved a nerve-wracking leap. “This is the first time I’ve faced such immense pressure—it’s more intense than acting alone,” Cheung confessed after the curtain fell. “I was deeply moved today. It’s all thanks to the team’s hard work and our boss Louis Koo’s backing that we had the chance to try this and grow.” He revealed that during the performance, he stole a glance at Koo sitting nearby. “When I saw him smile, I knew we had earned his approval. Now I can finally sleep,” Cheung joked, adding he would break his usual routine to enjoy a late-night celebration meal.
Stepping onto the stage afterward, Louis Koo acknowledged the immense stress Cheung endured, even joking that the first-time producer had been having bizarre nightmares. However, after watching the show, Koo declared it a “flawless performance,” praising the entire cast and crew for overcoming every challenge. When asked if he would ever consider acting in a stage play himself, Koo humorously replied, “Let’s put it this way: I’ll hold a concert first!”
Rising Stars and Emotional Revelations
The play’s younger cast members also drew praise. Liu Tsz-yu and Ho Ka-lee, who play the mothers of newcomer Wong Tsz-kiu, lauded his performance, saying they were deeply moved and could hardly believe it was his stage debut. “He is incredibly talented and clever,” they said in unison. Wong himself was overcome with emotion, hugging his parents backstage and tearing up. “After two months of rehearsals, hearing the audience’s laughter confirmed that all our hard work paid off,” he said. “I hope we can maintain this level for the next 20 shows.”
First-time stage actress Ho Ka-lee admitted it was the most moving performance of her career, while Liu compared the three-month rehearsal period to “going to school”—a joyful daily routine she cherished. Director-actor Chu Pak-him praised the “siblings” in the play, Wong and Ng Bing, for their sharp instincts. “Wong has a selfless energy that carries the entire story. Even without formal training, he responds perfectly through his eyes,” Chu noted, adding that he sometimes relied on Ng to stay grounded in character.
Balancing Sincerity and Comedy
For Tong Kwan-chi and Tsui Ho-cheong, both making their stage debuts, mastering their roles required navigating a tricky balance. “The hardest part was finding the line between sincerity and comedy,” Tong explained. “Hearing the audience laugh from the stage gave me a real boost of confidence.” Tsui singled out a crucial monologue as his greatest obstacle. He recalled relying on rote memorization initially, until producer Louis Cheung advised him to channel his performance from the TV series Court. “I approached it like a courtroom drama, and it finally clicked,” Tsui said. “Without the guidance from our producer and management, our team wouldn’t have pulled this off. I’m truly grateful.”
“The Big Dragon” is set to run for a total of 20 performances at the West Kowloon Cultural District, marking a bold new venture for One Cool Stage into live theatre. With a star-studded debut meeting critical and audience acclaim, the production signals a growing appetite for original stage works in Hong Kong’s vibrant arts scene.
