History Play
History Play is a new piece of music theatre from Hong Kong, reevaluating Shakespeare’s Richard II as a controversial, intercultural interrogation of power. A young "upstart" poet, Shakespeare, navigates the paranoia of Elizabeth I’s final years: a time defined by state censorship, recurring plagues, and the shadow of the gallows.
Paid to stage a play about the downfall of a king, Shakespeare finds his poetic genius entangled in the politics of the time.
*History Play was awarded Best Script at the IATC Critics Awards 2026 and received various nominations. The official public premiere will take place in 2028.
Karaoke
Michelle was born in the 1980s, surrounded by rich and eclectic musical influences since childhood. In Karaoke, she draws on the true story of her ties with her parents after their divorce, to explore the shifting identities of Hong Kong people.
Canton pop classics have served as the emotional and cultural anchor for a generation of ethnically Chinese people. Quoting Karaoke lyrics: "appearances have long since changed," but the hope remains that the "feelings stay the same."
*Karaoke premiered at WestK Solo Fest 2026 with a full house and was highly acclaimed.
Ivor Houlker / HK/UK / Interdisciplinary artist, Musician
vor Houlker is a founder and co-artistic director of Rooftop Productions (HK). He was awarded Best Playwright of the Year in 2026 IATC (HK) Critics Awards for History Play, and recipient of 2022 Hong Kong Arts Development Awards - Award for Young Artist (Drama). His work often involves live music, live cameras, and interdisciplinary collaboration, and has won multiple Best Scenography awards in Hong Kong.
Li Yuen Jing Michelle / HK / Interdisciplinary artist, Performer
Michelle is a founder and co-artistic director of Rooftop Productions (HK) and the recipient of 2022 Hong Kong Arts Development Awards - Award for Young Artist (Drama). She is the creator and solo performer of Karaoke. She teaches devising, and creative process at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (Drama School and TEA School).
Rooftop Productions (HK)
Rooftop Productions was established in Hong Kong in 2014 by Li Yuen Jing Michelle and Ivor Houlker, recipients of the 16th Hong Kong Arts Development Awards for Young Artists (Drama). The company is dedicated to connecting theatre with popular culture, making art in response to changes in Hong Kong.
Organizer
