Authorized by writer Chan Hokei and the Crown Culture Group, Mathias Woo adapted the novel 13.67 into a new Detective Theatre production about a legendary detective in Hong Kong from 1967 to 2013. Each case touches upon Hong Kong’s social phenomenon and identifiable icons like tycoons, idols, kidnapping incidents, and bomb maniacs.
The play premiered at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in September 2022, exploring the different possibilities of the novel with Arts Tech. The play depicts Hong Kong’s changing popular culture with pop songs and immersive projection of comics. It also mixes the soundscape system with singing, narration, comedy, and other storytelling techniques.
“Using wonderful Arts Tech, the audience can see, hear, and feel…the plot is intriguing, and the case-solving plots have many unexpected twists,” said Chan Kam Kuen Anthony, artistic director of the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre.
“The sound effects made by Arts Tech production were remarkably exceptional. The incorporation of locally popular music genres evoked resonance and immersion amongst the audience, resulting in a fascinating and captivating performance,” said Young Kwan Ting, Editor of Ming Pao
Ⓒ Chan Ho-kei With authorization from Crown Publishing (H.K.) Ltd.
*The programme is offered by Zuni Icosahedron in support of the ‘Exploring the Theatre: Arts Experience Scheme for Senior Secondary Students 2023/24’
Chan Ho Kei
Mathias Woo
Mathias WooCarson Chung
Yu Yat YiuCedric Chan
Lai Tat Wing
Carson ChungSobi SoDavid YeungZachary Pink YUNG
Mystery Fiction “The Borrowed” ranked top in Japan’s Honkaku Mystery Best 10 (Foreign Sections) 2017 and Shūkan Bunshun Mystery Best 10 (Foreign Sections) 2017. The book is one of the few Chinese mystery fiction in the international market, translated into English, French, German, Italian, and Japanese. Renowned film director Wong Kar Wai also plans to adapt the fiction in his future production.
“The Borrowed traces the past and sheds light on the future of Hong Kong through mystery stories. It is not only a top-notch detective story of the orthodox school but also a genius work of the social school, a subgenre of detective fiction.” Makoto Tamada, critic of mystery fiction
“The investigation of each mystery is not at all conventional… The ending makes readers want to reread from page one.” books.com.tw
“Very sound logic, unexpected plots… Even more well-grounded in logic and more brilliant than some of the detective fiction classics from overseas.” Douban Read
Awards
Ranked top in Japan’s Shūkan Bunshun Mystery Best 10 (Foreign Sections) 2017
Ranked top in Japan’s Honkaku Mystery Best 10 (Foreign Sections) 2017
Awardee of the Taipei International Book Exhibition prize 2015
Japan Booksellers’ Award “Excellent Translations” No. 2
Japan Kono Mystery ga Sugoi! International No.2
Recommended for ages 12 and above
Running time approximately 100 minutes
No latecomers will be admitted, until a suitable break in the performance
Zuni Icosahedron reserves the right to add, withdraw or substitute artists and/ or vary advertised programmes and seating arrangements
