ALAN LO ART
Kim Yong-ik (2016) by
What are the five all-time must-see plays? 1. The Lehman Trilogy by Stefano Massini
The unbelievable journey of a family that built its empire from scratch. Their tenacity and audacity was incredibly inspirational. I was blown away by the performance, script and how inspirational this story was. Massini is becoming better known now after his work was translated and staged by Sam Mendes.
2. Fleabag by Phoebe Waller-bridge
A true manifesto of millennial women’s relationships in the modern era.
3. The Crucible by Arthur Miller
A classic that never goes out of fashion. Even 300 years ago during the witch hunts in America, men were signing off the lives of women. Little has changed today.
4. Oleanna by David Mamet
The precursor to the #Metoo movement, this play has become more relevant than ever. David Mamet remains my favourite playwright of all time.
5. The Play that Goes Wrong by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields
A huge laugh, especially for those involved in theatre onstage and backstage. I love farces and this one is the epitome of all farces.
What about the classics?
Aristophanes holds a special place in my heart, from to The Poet and the Women. It’s amazing how plays that are over 2,000 years old can be still so relevant: they show how very little mankind has changed.
and are my favourite Shakespeare comedies. I always enjoy them, no matter how many times I watch them.
If you’ve never been to the theatre, where is a good place to start?
It depends on what kind of experience one wants to explore first. Comedy? Drama? Something that makes one think about an issue in particular? It’s a very subjective thing. I would recommend people head to the theatre and follow their taste as well as instinct. Watch whatever title attracts you.
How can people get more involved in theatre in Hong Kong?
Learning about theatre in Hong Kong is never easy. There are a lot of independent companies out there with no government support, and getting exposure is always challenging. The best way to follow local theatre companies and their programming is to sign up for updates in places at the Fringe Club or the Hive (more local theatre groups are using the co-working space now). I would also recommend discovering what’s on Facebook and Instagram—that’s how indie theatre companies spread the word.
Although the stones are less stringent than say, sapphires or emeralds, it’s all about your personal preference—your wardrobe, your lifestyle and your budget. For Lo the benefits of semi-precious stones are tremendous. They include:
Semiprecious stones don’t break the bank the way precious stones do, and they come in different shapes, sizes and colours.
Affordability: Durability:
Semi-precious stones may not be as hard as diamonds, but they are still very resistant to indentation.
Imperfection:
With precious stones, the need for perfection is very high, but with semi-precious, the flaws add to their charm.
Easy after care:
Semiprecious stones can be wiped clean with damp cloth and look good as new.
Real amber will float in water. To test whether you have bought real or fake, place the stone in one litre of water and dissolve 140 grams of salt in it. If the stone is real, it will float. If it’s fake, it will sink to the bottom. Real amber is lighter than fake, if you have pieces that are the same dimensions. Real amber should ideally be clear but streaks and cloud formation inside wax amber are deemed interesting by some.
Freshwater pearls have become affordable since the bulk of production is managed in China, where freshwater mussels produce roughly 30 pearls each. Freshwater pearls are a great place to start collecting. They are more durable and available in a variety of colours, including lilac and pink.
Saltwater pearls are produced by saltwater molluscs. They are rounder in shape and more valuable—the molluscs only produce one pearl each. The pearls weigh more and have a superior lustre to freshwater pearls.