2020 is a year worth remembering. Although the number of productions on stage this year may be limited, the boundaries of the theatre have been constantly extending through exploration.

The panel members of the IATC(HK) Critics Awards have conducted three discussions since last year, sorting out and discussing several productions that have been presented in various ways over the past year. We believe that the framework of the permanent awards no longer represents the reality of both staging performances and making productions in 2020. IATC(HK) values the historical record of Hong Kong theatre while we are also highly concerned about how the practitioners professionally cope with the current difficulties and perceive the energy gathered by each other.

Even though the permanent awards of the IATC(HK) Critics Awards 2020 are vacated, we appreciate the united spirit shown in See You Soon and award the production the Special Recognition.

PROJECT ROUNDABOUT's See You Soon presents a clear curatorial concept where it retrospects several inter-generational original Hong Kong dramas by a simple staged reading. Participants embrace both previous and current generations from the theatre industry, putting the possibilities of live play reading and online streaming into practice. The work witnesses the spirit of union—cross generations, front and back stages, old and new fellows, on- and offline, donors and beneficiaries—of course, the most important thing is to connect people's heart.

Besides, eight "Featured Works of 2020" are listed as follows. These productions bring a new ethos to the Hong Kong theatre in a unique way.

(Group name in alphabetical order)

• Chung Ying Theatre Company – Frankenstein: Relive (Live Performance)
• Estella Wong – See You Zoom (Online Theatre)
• Freespace, West Kowloon x Edward Lam Dance Theatre – An Invitation: On Empty Theatre (Theatre Video)
• On & On Theatre Workshop – The Phenomenon of Man: REVOLVER 2021 (Live Performance)
• Tai Kwun Performing Arts Department x O Theatre Workshop – ÉLAN Lost Child Project HK (Live Performance and Internet Theatre)
• The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts – Pornography by Simon Stephens (Online Theatre)
• Windmill Grass Theatre – No News is True News 2 The White Summer (Live Performance)
• Zuni Icosahedron – The Interrupted Geng Zi Dream (Theatre Video)

The panel members of 2020 are (surname in alphabetical order): Bernice Kwok-wai CHAN, Felix Wai-ki CHAN, William Wai-yam CHAN, Damian Wai-pang CHENG, CHEUNG Ping-kuen, Howard Yuen-fung CHOY, Daisy King-oi CHU, KUH Fei, Yan LIANG, LO Wai-luk, and TING Yu.

A summary of the panel members' observations and discussions on Hong Kong theatre 2020 will be uploaded to the IATC(HK) Critics Award page. Please stay tuned for further updates.

To give recognition to distinguished local theatre productions, facilitate exchange among theatre critics, as well as to give a more forward-looking definition of Hong Kong theatre, the International Association of Theatre Critics (Hong Kong) will continuously present the IATC(HK) Critics Awards.

For press enquiries, please contact the programme and administrative officer of IATC(HK), Ms Leung Chung-yan*. (Tel: 2974 0542; Email: leungchungyan@iatc.com.hk)

*The Arts Administration Internship Scheme is supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council.

The Summary of the Featured Works of 2020

• Chung Ying Theatre Company – Frankenstein: Relive (Live Performance)

The stage design of the work is visually allegorical which enhances the style of the performance. In the meanwhile, it brings challenges to the director in execution and makes it difficult to control. The performance is rich in themes, including religion, philosophy, psychology, and technology. The physical movement, voice, and perception of the Frankenstein played by Wang Wei synchronise with the character's "rebirth" process and coordinate with the themes of the performance.

• Estella Wong – See You Zoom (Online Theatre)

The director consciously utilises the possibilities of Zoom to interact with the audience during the pandemic. Four performers respectively describe their lives of being "quarantine" from physical or mental perspectives. The director uses video technology to reveal how people struggle to live when the plague spreads. The concept behind the work echoes reality and exudes cheerful energy during the pandemic.

• Freespace, West Kowloon x Edward Lam Dance Theatre – An Invitation: On Empty Theatre (Theatre Video)

Theatre practitioners have started to rethink their relationship with the stage due to the pandemic. The project is presented in the form of theatre video, allowing the practitioners to make conversations with space, audiences, and themselves at the empty stage under the quarantine period. The production fully embodies the delicate idea of the designer and director. By inviting practitioners of different generations to join, the project broadens the spectrum of participants and attracts international attention.

• On & On Theatre Workshop – The Phenomenon of Man: REVOLVER 2021 (Live Performance)

The 2021 edition is reprocessed by the playwright and director. There are full of images closely related to the current state of Hong Kong, in which the audience can explore the way forward through the performing process. The director employs the actor as the first-person entry point to explore the relationship between cultural workers and the society. Due to the pandemic and social distancing measures, the performance was moved to a more spacious venue, where the creative team had to rearrange within a limited time, but the energy of the performers has not yet been affected.

• Tai Kwun Performing Arts Department x O Theatre Workshop – ÉLAN Lost Child Project HK (Live Performance and Internet Theatre)

The project connects the industries of Art and Social Welfare which allows creativity to generate healing power through the cross-sectoral interaction in the community. With reference to the programme produced by the internationally renowned physical theatre artist David Glass, the project is presented in the form of live performances, workshops, forums, and online at the moment in Hong Kong. It induces the audiences to be more attentive to the voices of distinct communities or individuals, and helps them to get to know each other to explore the way forward.

• The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts – Pornography by Simon Stephens (Online Theatre)

The work is performed live on the Internet through instant messaging software in the form of serial dramas. The format echoes the content of the work and adds meaning to the interpretation of this adaptation. The director Janice Poon explores the possibilities of online theatre with performers, making creative attempts on aesthetic and technical aspects.

• Windmill Grass Theatre – No News is True News 2 The White Summer (Live Performance)

The performance was ultimately cancelled after the postponement due to the pandemic. Because of the worsening situation of the novel coronavirus infection, the troupe persisted to perform several times until the venue was shut down. The content of the play metaphors the reality of Hong Kong where many plots resonate with the audience.

• Zuni Icosahedron – The Interrupted Geng Zi Dream (Theatre Video)

With reference to the "Interrupted Dream" in The Peony Pavilion forbidden in the Ming Dynasty, this experimental theatre that is questioning the reality has been conducted in the eventful Gengzi Year. The minimal stage performance is supplemented by image design, making good use of language to connect history, art and reality. It is thought-provoking. At last, awakened in the red of face recognition, such a visual effect was extremely impressive.