Hong Kong Children's Musical Theatre Brings Xi Xi's Classic Poem to Stage Through Picture Book Adaptation
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago5 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong Children's Musical Theatre has brought to the stage "Can We Say..." (可不可以說), a musical adapted from the picture book by Hong Kong illustrator Liu Beien, which in turn draws from the classic poem by the celebrated late author Xi Xi. The production showcases young performers singing and dancing on a stage designed around Liu's characteristic childlike illustrations, transforming Xi Xi's playful linguistic exploration into an engaging theatrical experience. The original poem, a staple in Hong Kong's creative writing curriculum for both primary and secondary schools, humorously reimagines measurement words for everyday objects like vegetables and food items .
Key Points
- Hong Kong Children's Musical Theatre staged "Can We Say...", adapted from Liu Beien's picture book based on Xi Xi's poem, with child actors as main performers .
- Xi Xi (born Zhang Yan, 1937 Shanghai; settled Hong Kong 1950; died 2022) was a prolific experimental writer, winning the Newman Prize for Chinese Literature in 2018 .
- Liu Beien, a Hong Kong illustrator who studied graphic design in the United States, has published picture books including "My Art Museum," "My City," and "My Rainy Day" .
- The musical's storyline follows a Primary One student named Yan Yan, who writes unconventional answers in a measurement exercise and faces teacher criticism, sparking reflection on creativity versus standardized answers .
- Xi Xi's poem features whimsical lines like "Can we say / one egg as 'one piece' / one chive as 'one bird'" and ends playfully with "Can we say / longan as auspicious / dragon beard candy long live forever?" .
Why It Matters
The stage adaptation of Xi Xi's beloved poem by child performers highlights how Hong Kong's literary heritage continues to inspire new generations of creative expression. The production's emphasis on balancing creative freedom with learning conventions resonates with educators and parents navigating the tensions between standardized education and imaginative development in the city's competitive academic environment .
The stage adaptation of Xi Xi's beloved poem by child performers highlights how Hong Kong's literary heritage continues to inspire new generations of creative expression. The production's emphasis on balancing creative freedom with learning conventions resonates with educators and parents navigating the tensions between standardized education and imaginative development in the city's competitive academic environment .