Written and directed by theatre artist Yan Pat-to, "Posthuman Condition" will be staged from October 28 to 30 at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall to investigate the predicaments facing human beings in a new era when artificial intelligence dominates everything. In the programme, Yan uses his unique and distinctive perspective in foretelling the future of mankind.
 
     Produced by Reframe Theatre, "Posthuman Condition" is the second instalment of the tripartite "A Concise History of Future" by Yan. Yan was invited to join the project "Teaser Pitching Stückemarkt" at Germany's Theater Dortmund in 2016. The play was translated into German and premiered at the Schauspiel Frankfurt in 2021. The upcoming performance in Hong Kong will be its Asian premiere, and is one of the programmes commemorating the 60th anniversary of Hong Kong City Hall.
 
     "Posthuman Condition" tells the story of an ordinary man living in a developed country. He is a remote pilot, sitting in his home and launching airstrikes in other countries. Later, his son is born but the baby doesn't have buttocks. His wife recounts a legend from the East about redemption, so the man resolves to visit the places he has destroyed and the people he has wounded. A pair of cyber-buttocks was appended to his son to save his life, yet there are side effects. The baby grows 10 times faster than a normal boy, and he is bestowed with paranormal powers. Is his son a harbinger for future generations or an exemplar of the epic failure of technology?
 
     Active in Hong Kong and German theatre, Yan is the Artistic Director of Reframe Theatre and House Author of Nationaltheater Mannheim in Germany. His play in English, "A Concise History of Future China", was awarded the 2016 Berliner Festspiele Theatertreffen Stückemarkt, and he was the first Chinese person to receive the award. His play in Chinese, "White Blaze of the Morning", was awarded Best Play at the 8th Hong Kong Theatre Libre. Up to now, six of his plays have been translated into German and staged.
 
     "Posthuman Condition" is one of the programmes of the New Vision Arts Festival (NVAF) and will be held at 8pm on October 28 and 29, and at 3pm on October 29 and 30 at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall. The programme will be performed in Cantonese, with Chinese and English surtitles. A meet-the-artist session will be held after the performance on October 28.
 
     Tickets priced at $200, $280 and $380 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999, or use the mobile ticketing app "My URBTIX".
 
     Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the NVAF will be held from October 28 to November 20, showcasing a range of creative, pioneering and interdisciplinary programmes. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.nvaf.gov.hk.
 
     In order to comply with the requirements stipulated in the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, members of the public are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" venue QR code with their mobile phones/other mobile devices before being allowed to enter the performing arts venues managed by the LCSD for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found. In accordance with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, all persons entering indoor venues under the management of the LCSD must comply with the requirement of the Vaccine Pass. According to the latest requirement on the Vaccine Pass announced by the Government, all persons with their Vaccine Pass QR codes displayed in red or amber are not allowed to enter the performing arts venues managed by the LCSD.

Ends/Thursday, September 29, 2022
Issued at HKT 16:55

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