Review by William Chan
Macau’s Comuna de Pedra (“Stone Community”) staged a remarkable play titled “Enlighten” (你啟照) last weekend at Macau Cultural Centre’s (CCM) Black Box Theatre.
Directed by Jenny Mok (莫倩婷), the production brought together the stories of actor Lee Kai Chio (李啟照) and local theatre actress Nada (塵雅正), creating a heartfelt and humorous work that resonated deeply with the audience.
As part of Comuna de Pedra’s “De-corps-struction Series” with the theme “Narratives Along the Edge”, the play explores the unique experiences of individuals within a diverse society. Inspired by a documentary project last year featuring Lee Kai Chio, a performer living with cerebral palsy, Mok crafted a narrative that interweaves Lee’s inspiring life story with Nada’s theatrical journey. Through a combination of monologues and expressive physical movements, the play offered a poignant and humorous exploration of their parallel lives.
Lee and Nada were old classmates who had lost touch after graduation, only to reunite years later on the theatre stage. Their lives could not be more different: Nada, once a high-achieving student, is now an unmarried theatre actress; Lee, who suffered from brain hypoxia at birth leading to cerebral palsy, struggled with physical and speech challenges but managed to graduate, marry through a matchmaking arrangement, and become a father.
This stark contrast between the two performers formed the backbone of the production. Nada, despite her experience as an actress, revealed her struggles with self-appreciation and a tendency to avoid being the centre of attention offstage. Lee, on the other hand, drew attention wherever he went due to his condition but often found himself unable to fully express his thoughts and feelings. “I was never understood in my life, not even once,” Lee said on stage.
The production’s minimalist approach, necessitated by Lee’s limited mobility, proved to be a masterstroke. Mok made excellent use of the Black Box Theatre’s simple setting, employing creative lighting, shadows, and multimedia elements to maintain the flow of the narrative. Contemporary dance sequences added depth, allowing physical expression to complement the verbal storytelling, and significant effort was invested in ensuring the two actors were compatible in their dance with each other.
One of the play’s most memorable moments came when Lee narrated his story while Nada typed subtitles for him live. As Nada made typing errors, the audience found the scene both amusing and endearing, showcasing the improvisational and collaborative spirit of the performance.
Despite its simple premise, “Enlighten” was able to craft a rich and layered experience. Its seamless blend of humour, emotion, and artistry offered a fresh perspective on inclusion and the power of storytelling.
Actor Lee Kai Chio and actress Nada perform last week at Macau Cultural Centre’s Black Box Theatre. – Photos: Cathie Lam
