By Joelle Chong Ying Yuan (Student Reporter SJFS)
KUCHING — On 29 and 30 September this year, St Joseph’s Family of Schools will stage “A Story of Ours: Us and Them” at ACCPC, St Joseph’s Cathedral Kuching. The original play, “Us and Them,” was written by David Campton in the 1970s. It touches upon the distinctions and boundaries in societies. The play has been readapted and will include our current stories and issues.
Mr Benedict Lo, the head of the schools’ performing arts committee, took some time off his busy schedule to share his thoughts about the upcoming school production with the Student Reporters on 4 August 2023. When asked about his interpretation of the play, Mr Lo said the main word or the essence of the play is “Human.” “What does it mean to be a human? The play can be provoking and reflects the reality of this world—what we have become as human beings,” he explained.
The abstract play will differ in style as compared to the previous school productions, particularly in the ways of music and storytelling. “The main chunk of this year’s production is a theatre play, which does not involve as much music,” said Mr Lo who also arranges the music for the annual school productions. Instead, a diversity of music will be used to enhance the storytelling.
The audience will be treated to a potpourri of genres ranging from Chinese traditional music to contemporary pop music. “We have added elements of music from the different performing arts groups of St Joseph’s Family of Schools to the play,” Mr Lo explained. “That whole night, we will tell one story from different perspectives.”
Furthermore, this play will involve the collaboration of the students and teachers from all three schools under the St Joseph’s Family of Schools, essentially telling a story that is uniquely Josephian. “We are trying to tell everyone that this is our story,” explained Mr Lo, relating the artful modification of the title of the play to the schools’ mission in nurturing young talents through the performing arts.
This legacy has its roots in the 1950s and 1960s when St Joseph’s School was run by the La Salle Brothers who started the annual school productions. “When young people are on stage, there’s always magic,” Mr Lo explained, “If we give them an opportunity, they will always do their best.”
Mr Lo’s background in music shapes how he directs and teaches his students during practice and rehearsals. Being a musician himself, he pushes those under his wings to strive for excellence. “They don’t need to be perfect, but they must do their very best,” he said as a word of encouragement towards the cast and crew. “Whether it is sweeping the floor, selling the tickets or writing journals, do it to your best. Your best is what you deserve because when you give your best, you will see magic happening.”
All proceeds from this school production will go towards the new school building that is slated to be built soon. It will house a music studio, school hall and other learning facilities. With the new school building, the St Joseph’s Family of Schools aims to improve the learning environments for students, continuing the schools’ legacy and mission in nurturing young talents through excellence in the performing arts.
Tickets and merchandise for “A Story of Ours: Us and Them” are now available. They will be sold at St Joseph’s Cathedral Kuching (10 September), Blessed Sacrament Church (17 September) and Holy Trinity Church (24 September). Please refer to this website https://sites.google.com/stjosephkuching.edu.my/astoryofours2023/home or contact 082-414575 / 082-420575 for more details.
Generous contributors who would like to support the production can donate via SPay, formerly known as Sarawak Pay, DuitNow or SimplyGiving. The links can be found on the same website.
