The 13-performance stage play “Office Theatre Queen,” written and directed by Tang Chi Kin, opens tomorrow, bringing together a cast of veteran performers and a first-time stage actor. The ensemble, featuring Lau Nga Lai, Lo Chung Yan (known as Mui Tau), Leung Ka Kei, Cheung Kam Ha, Cheung Yik Tung, and So Yuk Fai, completed their final rehearsal today and held a traditional blessing ceremony to ensure smooth performances.
First Role, Big Stage
For Mui Tau, a familiar face from local sitcoms, this production represents her stage debut. Despite nearly 90% of tickets sold across all shows, she admitted to feeling nervous and said she regularly checks the box office online. Veteran actor Lau Nga Lai praised Mui Tau’s quick learning and excellent memory, though she noted the need for clearer pronunciation in her line delivery.
“She may seem a bit dazed, but she’s actually very sharp,” Lau said. “I’m more of a ‘crocodile head’—someone who looks tough on the surface.”
Lau also expressed admiration for Mui Tau’s ability to balance running a beauty salon, rehearsing for the play, and shooting a television sitcom. Known in theatre circles as a “theatre bone sister” for her massage skills, Lau jokingly volunteered to work at Mui Tau’s salon. “I’m a freelancer with no current contracts,” she said. “I can take work anywhere.”
Mui Tau returned the compliment, praising Lau’s commanding stage presence and inviting her to appear on the sitcom “Your Security Guard Li Bao An” as a building resident. She described her own role in that show as decorative or a “vase” character, saying she approaches it with no pressure beyond collecting her paycheck.
Decade-Late Reunion
Leung Ka Kei and Cheung Kam Ha first collaborated in 2015, when Cheung was a newcomer. Their reunion in “Office Theatre Queen” has prompted reflection on how quickly time passes. Leung said Cheung sometimes misses marks or forgets lines but compensates with strong improvisation that keeps every performance fresh.
“Having her on stage gives me a sense of security, but she also keeps me alert because she always brings surprises,” Leung said.
Collaborative Spirit
The production has fostered a warm atmosphere behind the scenes, with Lau regularly preparing snacks and other cast members handling drinks. That camaraderie is expected to translate into engaging chemistry on stage.
Set in an office environment, the play explores themes of ambition, competition, and personality clashes through both comedy and drama. With strong pre-sales and a cast that blends experience with fresh energy, “Office Theatre Queen” is poised to draw audience interest and highlight the ongoing vitality of Hong Kong’s theatre scene.
