WestK x Rooftop Productions: Songs of Innocence and Experience

Thought-provoking stories on identity and self-expression from youngsters coming of age in contemporary times

Devised and created by Rooftop Productions and the young artists of HKAPA’s School of Drama, Songs of Innocence and Experience presents the stories of a group of young people coming of age in contemporary Hong Kong.

Taking its name from the work of William Blake, and inspiration from John Milton’s Paradise Lost and Areopagitica, Songs of Innocence and Experience deals with the eternal struggles of youth – between respecting authority and wanting freedom, and forging meaningful new pathways as emerging adults. Through a fragmented montage of theatre, live original music, pop culture references, camera play and projections from Blake’s illustrated versions of Paradise Lost, the production offers a humorous and poignent reflection on the hybridity of contemporary Hong Kong society, the drive and passions of youth, and individual explorations of self-identity.

First staged at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2022, the production has been developed and adapted for The Box. The new production features a revised script, original and new ensemble and band members, and enhanced scenography and projection design.

Songs of Innocence and Experience was nominated for Scenography of the Year and Director of the Year at the IATC (HK) Critics Awards 2023.

“Extraordinarily playful and passionate, bringing balance to the serious topic being dealt with” – William Chan, Art critic, International Association of Theatre Critics (Hong Kong) website

“Telling stories of fallen angels, they make the audience consider their own relationships with power. I think it’s very successful” – Kuh Fei, Art critic, RTHK Arts News

This programme is co-presented and co-produced by WestK and Rooftop Productions, and is part of the WestK Creators series.

About WestK Creators

WestK Creators celebrates contemporary Hong Kong artists working across a variety of performing arts disciplines, contexts and forms. Encouraging exchange and collaboration, the series showcases innovative original productions, and nurtures experimentation and new perspectives for the Hong Kong performing arts scene.

Curated and produced by the Contemporary Performance Team of West Kowloon Performing Arts Division, WestK Creators promotes diverse creative voices and aesthetics, supports new work development, and facilitates the creation process from concept to stage, through residencies, research and development opportunities and work-in-progress presentations.