“Our work is a dance performance with a soundtrack that consists of bits and pieces of noises and sound effects. I think what we're doing is even more experimental.” Ellen Loo
“Dream Illusion Bubble Shadow “ Sep 19 – 21
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
The Inquisition: Singer-songwriter Ellen Loo
【South China Morning Post 48 Hours】Aug 2014
The singer-songwriter explains why music is more so much more important than stardom
48 HOURS: You performed in the Taipei premiere of Dream Illusion Bubble Shadowin March, and this multimedia dance show plays at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from September 19 to 21. How do you feel about your participation?
Ellen Loo: It gives me great satisfaction. There are so many restrictions imposed by pop music conventions — like the duration of each song — that I don't have to deal with when I perform with Zuni Icosahedron. I can do a song that's eight or 16 minutes long. We can improvise at every performance, we don't even have to stick to a score.
48 HOURS: I've read that you're a fan of Radiohead and you really like the song Paranoid Android, which is noted for its theatrical arrangement. Is that an inspiration behind your part in this show?
Ellen Loo: Yeah, but our work is not as "aggressive" — after all, Dream Illusion Bubble Shadow is inspired by a line in the Diamond Sutra: "All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows." Our work is a dance performance with a soundtrack that consists of bits and pieces of noises and sound effects. I think what we're doing is even more experimental than Paranoid Android.
48 HOURS: This is your third collaboration with Zuni. How have you evolved as a performer since 2004: A Hong Kong Odyssey?
Ellen Loo: I'm more interested in the director's ideas. I wasn't before; I just did what I was told. I often watch from the stands when I'm not in a scene. I want to get the overall picture.
48 HOURS: You've developed this image as a rock musician, even giving yourself the nickname Rockmui. Do you agree that shows like Dream Illusion Bubble Shadow set you apart from other Canto-pop stars?
Ellen Loo: Yes, although that's not the only reason for me to take part. When I agreed to do this, I was first and foremost attracted by the fact that it's a dance show. I'd like to work on a greater variety of projects, such as the movie soundtrack for The Midnight After I did recently. Everyone in the Hong Kong showbiz — including former models Ella Koon Yun-na and Pakho Chau — has to be multitalented to survive. Nobody here is allowed to concentrate on singing alone.
48 HOURS: I guess you are different from others in that you don't always stay in the spotlight. You've performed as a session guitarist at the concerts of quite a few other singers.
Ellen Loo: I'm content as long as it's related to music.
48 HOURS: There's the dilemma that, if you don't sing, few people here pay attention to you no matter how great a guitarist you are.
Ellen Loo: Like Steve Vai?
48 HOURS: Well, doesn't it bother you that one must be known primarily as a singer in order to become a star in Hong Kong?
Ellen Loo: I think it's good enough as long as you personally believe that you're a star, though it's true that there are way too few people who understand the importance of guitarists. I used to take that to heart when I picked my jobs but I've realised it didn't work that way.
48 HOURS: So is it easier to work in Taiwan and the mainland, where there's less assumptions about what a pop star should do?
Ellen Loo: It's a different type of problem I come across there. There's an enjoyable side to it because there's the excitement from exploring a new market. So even when I played a Wuhan venue to a crowd of 29 people, it didn't really bother me because it's part of an exploration process.
48 HOURS: Do you expect a different local reception for Dream Illusion Bubble Shadow to that you received in Taiwan?
Ellen Loo: I'm a bit worried that I'll be beaten up by my Hong Kong audiences if they come with the wrong expectations and presume that I will be singing. I won't make a sound throughout the whole performance; I'll only play the guitar. Well, I just really hate it when an audience doesn't read up about the performance they are going to see.
Multimedia Dance Theatre
Dream Illusion Bubble Shadow
Artistic Director: Ping Heng (Taipei)
Director/ Design and Choreography: Mathias Woo
Music Director: Yu Yat-yiu@PMPS
Live and Recorded Guitar Music: Ellen Joyce Loo
Stage Designer: Ray Chen (Taipei)
Performers/ Choreography:
Makoto Matsushima (Tokyo), Dick Wong, David Yeung, Dance Forum
Dance Forum Dancers: Yu-Hsiu Tai, Po-Wen Chen, Kai-Yun Chen, Yi-Wei Lo, Kuan-Ying Su, Han-HsingKan, Chih-ChiehChang,Yu-Hsien Wu, Wei-Yun Chen, Yu-Hsuan Chiu
Sep 19 – 21
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Ticket Price︰$140, $190, $280, $420, $1,000*
*Charity Tickets
Tickets NOW available at URBTIX www.urbtix.hk
Running time approximately 90 minutes with no intermission
Anyone who has purchased a ticket to Zuni Theatre Season 2014 programmes and priced above $200, may join Gayamyan Sings "Hong Kong Song Book – Little Rascals" Night Club for FREE upon presenting the ticket.
Seats are limited. First come, first served. REGISTER NOW!
https://docs.google.com/…/1OEc8a8mYt4Sj9kXlKe_M-Vh…/viewform
