There are a number of firsts associated with writer-actor Robert Tsonos' upcoming play The Hum. It's having its premiere in Hong Kong; it will be the first performance for the Canadian's Sometimes Y Theatre group; it's the first time this group of actors has worked together; and, for producer Penny Day, it will be her first foray away from family-friendly productions.
'This is [Tsonos'] first production in Hong Kong and it was exciting to be on the ground with a brand new thing here,' says Day, whose Purple Turtle Theatre company is best known for staging children's works. 'It's new energy. There are a lot of groups around but they've been around for a long time. It was nice to meet some new people and have a new perspective on the business.'
The Hum gets its name from the background buzz in the busy urban location in which it's set. The black comedy revolves around an underdog political hopeful preparing for his make-or-break election-day speech. Local actor Henry Coombs plays the politician who fears his wife (New Zealand actress Suzy Sampson) is having an affair with his assistant (played by Tsonos).
Adding to the intrigue is a speech coach (American actor Michael Pizzuto) who is trying desperately to get Coombs' character to concentrate on the task at hand. The climax of the play is an election-eve speech night, when everyone's motivations are revealed to each other and the audience.