Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, the biggest performing group in Hong Kong, presented a play called《Principle》. It is the best drama that I have recently seen.

The story is about the headmaster of a school regulating that no student shall play in the playground without wearing sports uniform and shoes, as her “principle” is for their better protection against injury. The students opposed such a regulation on the “principle” that is against their personal freedom. Some teachers think the best “principle” is just to compromise and demand students only wearing sport shoes. Which principle won at the end of the story? The conflicting “principles” reflect and explain perhaps why Hong Kong experienced numerous social struggles during the past years. The script is powerful, provocating and punchy. The acting of Lui Si Lan, Ko Hon Man and Chris Sun go well beyond expectations.

This play was liked by the audience of all ages & backgrounds: teachers, parents and students. After watching this wonderful piece of work, one cannot help asking: What is “principle”? Is it a self-justification? A habit of “disagreeing to agree”? Or, avoiding being bound by a fixed principle is the best “principle” for life? In a “me” instead of “us” modern society like Hong Kong, we argue & fight over every government policy and social issue, the traditional Chinese virtue of “peace at all cost” no longer exists and the play inspires us to ponder for Hong Kong: whether progress shall be by means of a ‘constructive’ and ‘deconstructive’ model in the future? It is a play not only recommended for the Hongkongers, but any modern city in which social conflicts are almost their daily bread.

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