HONG KONG — Three Hong Kong actors stepped onto the stage at the Hong Kong Arts Centre’s Shouson Theatre on Monday night, but not before a traditional prayer ceremony and a few honest confessions about opening-night nerves.
Sham Kwan-kei, Hui Yin, and So Chi-ho star in “My Days Collecting Debts in the Gobi Desert,” a new stage production. The trio gathered at midday to burn incense and pray for a smooth run, and all admitted the pressure was on.
“I’ve Reached My Limit”
Hui, who takes part in the play’s action scenes, said he wanted to give the audience a thrill without any real danger. “I also want to scare the audience,” he said. “I hope it’s a positive scare, not the kind caused by an injury.”
Sham said it was difficult to predict how audiences would react, adding that he simply wanted people to enjoy the show. He also revealed that So had become so tense during rehearsals that he held his breath until his face turned red. So laughed off the claim, saying he had plenty of experience with nerves.
“I usually take deep breaths when I act, but this time I also have to juggle my lines, blocking, and lighting cues,” So said. “The director specifically told me to memorize even my breathing rhythm. I haven’t lost weight because I forgot to breathe—it’s just that stage acting is really tough.”
The trio also joked about reuniting with actor Yau Hok-sau to bring back the cast of their earlier series. They said they would even be willing to film nude scenes again if it meant working together as a group.
Signs, Fires, and Friendly Jabs
The actors also weighed in on a recent fire at the studio of YouTube collective JFFT. Afterward, a signboard bearing the name of another local channel was jokingly described as a “top-tier cursed object” and passed on to a different channel. So said he loved the description.
“That sign has been through so much,” he said. “I like it more and more.” Hui, however, was quick to note that the fire was likely caused by a light box left on for six months, not by any supernatural signboard.
Sham also shared a glimpse of his personal goals after visiting the luxury apartment rented by two actor friends. “It’s beautiful,” he said. “I’m happy they have their own place. I want to reach their level one day and buy a flat outright.” With a smile, he added that his own apartment on a 30-something floor was higher than theirs.
Respect for Old Friends
Sham praised athlete-actress Wu Tsz-tung for her performance at the Asian Games baseball tournament, saying it brought back memories of filming “The Way We Were” together. He also defended actor Lam Yiu-sing, who has been working construction day jobs while pursuing acting.
“We’ve all gone through periods of chasing our dreams at all costs and doing all kinds of jobs to make a living,” Sham said. “That deserves respect and encouragement. I’ve been doing some behind-the-scenes production work myself lately.”
The play continues its run at the Hong Kong Arts Centre, offering audiences a raw look at the physical and emotional demands of live theater—and a reminder of the camaraderie that keeps Hong Kong performers going.
