A Retrospective of Lui Si Lan's Iconic Roles on Stage

Lui Si Lan, who devoted her entire life constantly “in the moment” as an artist, joined the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre as a full-time company member in 1983. She had participated in more than 200 of the company’s stage productions for 38 years. Although she is no longer with us, we are fortunate that videos of her performances have been preserved, making it possible for us to relive those precious moments of her appearances on stage. The HKRep has carefully selected a number of videos as part of a special screening series. Through these videos, we hope to share many facets of her performing career with old and new friends.

The Last Supper (2015)     29.10.2022 (Sat)  3:30pm
The Last Supper (2011 Black Box version)     27.11.2022 (Sun) 7:30pm
Mother and son haven’t shared dinner for a long time. In fact, both of them plan to commit suicide by inhaling charcoal fumes afterward. At this “last supper” their conversation spans all sorts of topics. Can death put an end to the pain that has been afflicting them? Perhaps what should be cut down is not their downtrodden lives, but the root of their suffering.
 
Lui Si Lan won the Hong Kong Drama Awards for Best Actress (Tragedy/Drama) as well as Best Actress at the Hong Kong Theatre Libre. Her portrayal of the mother figure Lam Lai Bing is loving and simple, cowardly yet resolute in exactly the right mixture. This supper is certainly worth our savouring again and again.
 
Playwright：Matthew Cheng
Director：Fong Chun Kit
Cast：Lui Si Lan、Lau Shau Ching、Chan Wing Chuen
Run Time：109 minutes

Year：2015（Shouson Theatre version）
Video Quality：★★★★
This film is classified as Category IIl – Persons Aged 18 or Above Only

Hu Xueyan, My Dear (2018) 

1) 29.10.2022 (Sat) 7pm 
2) 27.11.2022 (Sun) 3pm

Hu Xueyan experienced ups and downs in his life, Hu transformed himself from a penniless lad to the nation’s top merchant powerful enough to rival the court. However,  his wife and mother did not understand him. Was life a never-ending game of catch?
 
Lui Si Lan played Hu Xueyan’s mother who experienced fateful ups and downs through the decades, for which she was nominated as Best Supporting Actress in both the Chinese Theatre Awards and the Hong Kong Drama Awards (Tragedy/Drama).
 
Playwright：Paul Poon
Director：Roy Szeto
Main Cast：Poon Chan Leung、Lau Shau Ching、Mercy Wong、Lui Si Lan、Ko Hon Man、Yu Hon Ting、Yau Ting Fai、Eddy Au Yeung
Run Time：146 minutes

Year：2018
Video Quality：★★★★★
This film is classified as Category IIl – Persons Aged 18 or Above Only

Guan Hanqing (1993) 

5.11.2022 (Sat)  3pm

Guan Hanqing is a masterpiece by Chinese playwright Tian Han that chronicles how the title character, having heard the tragic story of Zhu Xiaolan, is motivated to create and perform Snow in June along with the singing actress Zhu Lianxiu. Despite pressures from many sides, they insist on using art to criticise social ills, even risking the price of prison terms. The play-in-play device used by Tian Han highlights the morals and fortitude of the literati.
 
As the courtesan Zhu Lianxiu, Lui Si Lan is righteous and heroic. Her every turn of phrase is marked with such power that strikes at our hearts.

Playwright：Tin Hon
Director：Chan Yung
Main Cast：Lui Si Lan、Ip Chun、Fung Wai Hang、Alice Lau、Ho Wai Lung
Run Time：141 minutes

Year：1993
Video Quality：★★
This film is classified as Category IIA – Not Suitable for Children

Papa Mama, Thou Wind Blows Ever (2011) 

5.11.2022 (Sat)  7:30pm

Along with HKRep veteran company member Chow Chi Fai, Lui Si Lan created a stage work based on both of their personal lives, sharing their own experiences in such familial roles as children and parents. As time goes on, older generations take their leave while experiences and memories continue to live on just like the wind that constantly blows.
 
Lui Si Lan moved many a heart when she narrated her own story from youth to maturity, her sincerity drawing audience’s tears, her humour sprinkling lightheartedness on stage. The many tastes of life, indeed, include both joy and sadness of togetherness and parting. 

Concept and Director：Fung Wai Hang 
Create and Cast：Chow Chi Fai、Lui Si Lan、Siulung Ling、Rosina Lam
Co-creator：Pang Hang Ying、Chan On Yin
Run Time：90 minutes

Year：2011
Video Quality：★★★
This film is classified as Category I – Suitable for All Ages

Forever and Ever (2001) 

20.11.2022 (Sun) 3pm

Master playwright Raymond To’s Forever and Ever is based on a real story. Siu Fu, born with haemophilia, is afflicted with AIDS through a blood transfusion. Yet he remains passionate about life, his optimism even inspiring his mother Ming Chun. As they count down to the end of the road, hopes spring eternal.
 
Lui Si Lan was nominated for Best Actress (Tragedy/Drama) at the Hong Kong Drama Awards for her portrayal of Ming Chun. Her subtle and intimate interpretation fully captures maternal love. This charming and warm performance prompts the audience to appreciate the value of life despite inherent pains.
 
 
Director：Mao Chun Fai
Main Cast：Gary Tam、Lui Si Lan、Fung Wai Hang、Chan Suk Yi
Run Time：127 minutes

Year：2001
Video Quality：★★★
This film is classified as Category IIA – Not Suitable for Children

Farewell the Good Old Days (2015) 

20.11.2022 (Sun) 7:30pm

Because of a funeral, middle-aged Tracy returns to Macao to her ancestral home. There she recalls many scenes at the tender age of 18 living with her great-grandmother, snippets that are infused with the love and close bonds that span multiple generations. The city has changed so much since then, its development wiping out an era and its aura. Perhaps Tracy can still find traces of yesteryears’ humanity? 
 
Lui Si Lan won Best Supporting Actress (Tragedy/Drama) at the Hong Kong Drama Awards for her performance as the great-grandmother who only spoke in Hakka dialect. Her subtle and heartwarming portrayal is so close to our hearts, bringing us back to the magic of the good old days. 

Playwright：Judy Chu
Director：Wong Shu Fai
Cast：Lui Si Lan、Monkey Wan、Fannie Shum、Fung Chi Kwan、Chow Chi Fai、Sung Boon Ho、Rex Kwok
Run Time：93 minutes

Year：2015
Video Quality：★★★★
This film is classified as Category I – Suitable for All Ages

Besides, HKREP ON SCREEN：Principle is another performace performed by Si Lan, more informations can be found at HKREP ON SCREEN: Principle.