Set in a peaceful border town at the junction of Sichuan and Hunan, the story follows Cuicui, a young girl who lives with her grandfather, an old ferryman. The arrival of Tianbao and Nuosong, two brothers and sons of the local river captain, stirs ripples of love in Cuicui's tranquil world. This is the timeless tale of Border Town, adapted from the literary masterpiece by Shen Congwen.
Now, Chung Ying Theatre Company and Beijing Drum Tower West Theater have joined forces to bring this story back to the stage in a Cantonese musical adaptation. Featuring music, lyrics, and musical direction by Chung Chi Wing, and directed by Roy Szeto, Border Town will run from October 24 to November 8 at the Kwai Tsing Theatre Auditorium.
More Than Just a Tale of Pure Love
"Why Border Town? Don't you find it boring?" Director Roy Szeto chuckles, revealing that no fewer than 200 people asked him this exact question when he first decided to stage the production. "My answer to everyone was: don't worry about me, this play is anything but boring." Szeto believes that Border Town shouldn't be read merely at surface level—Shen Congwen's writing carries profound, underlying depths.
So what is Border Town really about? To many, it remains a pure, touching, yet bittersweet love story. Back in 2001, Actors' Family teamed up with renowned composer Chung Chi Wing to produce a musical version that ran for several years. Szeto, then an audience member, simply marvelled at how great the songs were, wondering when it would be staged again. Today, having fought his way into directing this new revival, Szeto approaches the story with a different vision: he is determined not to tell just another romance.
"What I am actually exploring is how the outside world encroaches upon this isolated border town, triggering a monumental shift so profound that the town as we knew it ceases to exist," Szeto emphasizes. Shen Congwen captured "a world that was inevitably bound to vanish," yet it was "a world that truly existed." This clash between reality and ideal forms the central conflict of the musical.
Szeto aims to deconstruct and reinterpret the story through a contemporary perspective, unearthing the poignant emotions, humanistic values, and global empathy the author left implicit. "Otherwise, there would be no reason for modern audiences to come watch it," says Szeto.
As for how this is achieved, Szeto reveals a special touch in the climax: "It's a unique arrangement at the end—something you would never expect."
Dual-Cast Arrangement Guarantees Quality: A Contrast of "Sun" and "Moon"
The production features a dual-cast system. The "+" Cast stars Chan Nga Wun as Cuicui, Chung hin lau as Nuosong (the second brother), Edmond Lo as Grandfather, and Mok Kok Pong as Tianbao (the elder brother). The "#" Cast features Li Mei Yan as Cuicui, Yuen Ho Yeung as Nuosong, Chu Yung as Grandfather, and Freddy Au Yeung as Tianbao.
In Hong Kong, assembling a cast capable of powerful vocals, exceptional acting, and solid box-office appeal is no easy feat. "I was practically driving myself crazy trying to find the right performers," Szeto admits. His insistence on a double cast stems from two reasons: first, musicals demand immense vocal range, acting prowess, and stamina. "In a straight play, if an actor falls ill, I can usually adapt on the fly. But for a musical, a second cast is essential to guarantee performance quality and stability."
Second, he wanted the two teams to ignite creative sparks during rehearsals. "A single person's perspective is limited. With two sets of actors exchanging ideas and pushing each other in rehearsals, the exponential growth has been wildly surprising."
When asked about the difference between the two interpretations, the cast compared them to "Yin and Yang" or "Sun and Moon." Yuen Ho Yeung, who plays Nuosong, remarks with a smile that his version is "shorter, leaner, and gentler" than the other. "If the other cast is the Sun, we are the Moon; if they are Yang, we are Yin."
Upgraded Score: A Continuous Pursuit of Excellence
Music quality remains the heartbeat of any musical. Renowned musician Chung Chi Wing reprises his role as Musical Director, giving the score a complete overhaul with new arrangements. Szeto points out that while earlier versions leaned toward 1980s and 90s Cantopop styles, the new arrangement introduces a deeper, classical resonance—viewed through a fresh, modern musical lens.
Szeto candidly admits he wouldn't call this version "perfect," as the world, circumstances, and the play itself are constantly evolving. However, the core spirit remains unchanged: "Never give up, and always strive for better."
"What feels right today might not feel right tomorrow. Through continuous exploration, we can always find a better way. This production is alive—it's constantly flowing and growing," Szeto adds.
Border Town underwent rehearsals and preview performances at the Songshan Lake Exhibition and Performance Center in Dongguan before returning to Hong Kong for its grand premiere. Following the Hong Kong run, the production will embark on a three-month tour across mainland China, with confirmed stops including Shanghai, Wuxi, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, and Suzhou—marking an innovative model of cultural collaboration between Hong Kong and the mainland.
(Reporter:Kelly Yang; Video Editor: Bernard; Translator: Ella Qu)
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