What is Cabaret? It's a live performance format featuring music, dance, and theatrical elements, emphasizing high interactivity and a sense of "intimacy with the audience." The inaugural WestK Cabaret Festival, organized by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, brings this performance style, originating from Parisian taverns, to Hong Kong. From May 30 to June 7, over 50 captivating shows will take the stage, offering audiences a comprehensive exploration of cabaret's unique charm and diverse expressions.
Susanna Yu, the curator of the Festival, explains that the festival's program includes both internationally acclaimed performances, such as theParadis Latin's "Mon Premier Cabaret (My First Cabaret)," making its first overseas tour and suitable for the whole family, and Patti LuPone's "A Life in Notes," a Hong Kong debut and the only Asian stop for the 77-year-old Broadway legend. "3026: A Cantopop Odyssey" ("3026"), led by local artist Alex Lam, blends the starkness of dystopian science fiction, tender emotions, and the cabaret format, making it a highlight of this year's festival.
"3026" is spearheaded by singer Alex Lam, in collaboration with co-director Eugene Ma, music director Jerold Chu, and his five-piece band, and the Lunar Antz youth pop choir. The story is set in 3026, when AI has completely taken over the world's operations. Lam, as one of the few who "remember the past," follows the echoes of melodies once hummed by his father to the Xiqu Centre. Drawn together, they form a band and unearth a collection of long-forgotten Cantopop songs. Through reimagined classics and engaging storytelling, they lead the audience on a musical archaeological journey about memory and survival.
Director Ma states that the entire story is based on reflections on human memory, Cantopop memories, and the future of technology and industry. In the age of AI, humanity is filled with fear and confusion towards artificial intelligence. What will the world be like a thousand years later, in 3026? The program leaves ample space for the audience to contemplate and imagine.
Interpreting Cantopop classics from futuristic perspective
From May 2025 to March 2026, the Tea House Theatre at the Xiqu Centre has successively presented a total of 29 cabaret-style performances in the "WestK Cabaret Nights" series. "3026" had thus already presented a preliminary version of this story at the Tea House Theatre in March. This performance, with the help of the director, further amplifies and elevates the emotions and story.
Lam said that the inspiration for the program is closely related to his personal experiences. Last year, at the age of 39, Lam and his wife had a baby. His father, George Lam, also held a one-year-old Alex Lam on the cover of his album when he was 39. The "destined coincidence," according to Lam, is the source of inspiration behind the science fiction setting. "What has accompanied me throughout my life is my connection to classic Cantopop songs, or some inseparable bond. How should I face this (the entanglement with Cantopop)?"
Therefore, this "3026" performance features nearly 25 Cantopop classics from the 80s and 90s, including Anita Mui's "Heart of Debt" and George Lam's "Change Often Changes."
In terms of musical arrangement, the program reimagines the songs from a futuristic perspective. "We didn't want a simple nostalgic medley, but rather to select songs that fit the key moments of the plot," Lam reveals that the biggest challenge was the team's disagreement on song selection. "For example, there was a song that the director thought was very suitable, but I couldn't sing it. I originally couldn't sing 'Heart of Debt'." However, he still understands that this song is a collective memory for many people, and for him, it is not only a challenge but also a learning opportunity.
Kayan9896 joins as "AI," exploring essence of music with Alex Lam
In "3026," local artist Kayan9896 will participate as a special guest, playing the AI technology that rules the human world in the future. "She represents fear," Lam summarizes the role's positioning and significance.
"What will the future be like? We found an answer in this story, which is music." In his view, music carries personal experiences and private memories. Even in an unknown future, it is still a symbol of truth and sincerity, a sign of the value and meaning of human existence, and AI cannot replicate the soul and essence of human music. "In fact, AI may not be bad. We don't need to be afraid of it. It's just that we project our deepest fears onto it," Lam says.
For Kayan9896, one of the protagonists, the dual performance format of singing and acting requires her to put in a lot of effort, and also makes her feel more responsible. "This is also the happiest and most challenging thing for me." She admits that the team has to jointly screen songs, polish songs, and repeatedly consider whether the songs fit the theme of the performance and whether they can move the audience's emotions.
She finally laughed, "But it will be easier for me, but for Alex, there are more than 20 songs here."
Breaking the fourth wall at the end
The core feature of cabaret is interactivity. What kind of interaction will this show have?
"Most of the time, the performance allows the audience to immerse themselves in the imagination of the future world, and the fourth wall will be broken at the end." Director Ma shared that the program needs to balance the storytelling and the interactivity of the cabaret. It is difficult for actors to interact with the audience a lot while advancing the story, but the final moment of the performance will be completed with the audience.
Regarding the interaction effect, the performance at the Tea House Theatre in March gave Lam a lot of encouragement.
"When I sang the chorus of a song a cappella, the whole audience immediately sang along."
He hopes that in the atmosphere of the Festival, the audience can completely relax, fully enjoy the performance, and go on a feast of music and emotion.
(Reporter: Ashley; Cameraperson & Video Editor: Julianne; English Editor: Darius)
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