The Hero's Journey

小蝶 - 我曾经和雅麗有个约会. 只有一次, 但是我已经满足.

It is said that the roles certain people play in life are destined to inspire the millions out there. Such is one played by Alice Lau Ngah Lai in "I Have A Date With Spring." From the stage play to the movie and to the musical, Alice's nexus with the character "Yiu Siu Tip" blossomed for 12 years. Although for the other leading female characters, different actresses have been selected to portray them, there can be only one Siu Tip; non other than Alice herself.

Perhaps Alice was born to touch the viewers with her genuine acting. And after a while it is very difficult to accept that Siu Tip is a creation in art. It is as though as Alice gave so much of energy and became the character. The warmth, righteousness, honesty and determination of Siu Tip are reflective of the person in reality.

Why do we love Siu Tip? I think, it is because she is the hero in our dreams and fantasies. From a third grade cabaret singer and through trials and turbulence she rose to the top. But she did it with so much of intergrity and humanity that we applause her success with approval. Her loyalty towards Kah Hoe; the musician boyfriend whose first love was inevitably music, after 25 years she awaits him. She is the hero we hope we can emulate in our devious and fluctuating society.

Siu Tip's journey of happiness, tears, pains and victory is the single journey that we all travel. But perhaps some may lack the qualities and strength she possesses. Some may derail and some may necessarily succeed.

Whatever the outcome, we all have a date with spring. Just like Siu Tip when the time comes we will find spring flourishing in winter.