AFTEC proudly presents Classics for Juniors 2021: Walking the Amazon, based on Guinness world record holder Ed Stafford’s real life journey across the Amazon on foot. The very first time this story is brought to life on stage in Hong Kong, the theatre production will run in October 2021 at the Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre Theatre. Performed mainly in English, tickets will be available at URBTIX from 27 August 2021.

Adapted from British Explorer Ed Stafford’s book of the same name, Walking the Amazon depicts the innumerable challenges from wildlife and people Ed meets on his perilous journey across Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. Finally, Ed meets Cho, a guide and friend, and they stumble against reason, suffering starvation and sickness until they reach the end of the Amazon. This is the story of a man who motivates himself to keep to his commitment despite physical and mental exhaustion for two and a half years.

Inspired by Kneehigh Theatre, a prestigious theatre from the UK which announced its closure in June this year, co-directors Dr Vicki Ooi and Suen Chi Hung forgo a naturalistic set to pursue an alternative approach. Through the magic of physical theatre, actors transform props and minimal set into foliage and landscapes to ignite the audience’s imagination and invite them to actively engage and partake in Ed’s journey. Post-show stage tours are available for ticket holders of $240 tickets.

Packed with humour and hardship, Walking the Amazon teaches resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges, a gem of a play perfect for students and adults alike.

Author	Ed Stafford
Co-directors	Dr Vicki Ooi & Suen Chi Hung
Adaptation	Dr Vicki Ooi

Ticketing Information

School Shows

4 – 8 /10/2021 (Mon – Fri) 10:30am & 2:30pm

Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre Theatre

School Booking: 2520 1716, [email protected]

Public Shows

9-10/10/2021 (Sat & Sun) 2:30pm

Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre Theatre

$240, $210, $160

• Free post-show stage tour with $240 ticket.
• 50% discount for full-time students, people with disabilities and the minder, senior citizens aged 60 or above and CSSA recipients.
• 10% discount applies to full price tickets for every purchase of four or more tickets.

Tickets available at URBTIX from 27 August 2021

Ticket Enquiries: 3761 6661

Internet Booking: www.urbtix.hk

Mobile Ticketing App: My URBTIX (Android & iPhone/iPad)

Programme Information and Media Enquiries

Enquiries: Lily Lee, Marketing & Communications Manager, 2520 1716, [email protected]
Programme details: https://www.aftec.hk/en/programme/c4j2021-walking-the-amazon/
Publicity materials: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1h542j4t59NwvjqHozQCpu0neX5HsTNKs?usp=sharing

About AFTEC

The Absolutely Fabulous Theatre Connection (AFTEC) is an award-winning bilingual Learning Theatre™ dedicated to nurturing the next generation of young people. We believe in the power of the arts to inspire, motivate and transform, and use an integrated arts-in-education approach to enhance education and encourage creative learning. Our acronym A.F.T.E.C. also stands for Arts For Transformative Educational Change. 

Established in 2008 as a registered charity, we have reached over 250,000 audience members and participants through our diverse cross-disciplinary projects. Since 2009, we have been the Venue Partner of the Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre under the LCSD Venue Partnership Scheme. AFTEC was a recipient of HK Arts Development Council’s Award for Arts Education 2014 & 2017, and Arts Promotion 2020, as well as a two-time recipient of the Springboard Grant under the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. AFTEC pioneered Relaxed Theatre and the performing arts module of Medical Humanities developing STEAM as a teaching & learning approach.

Dr Vicki Ooi (Co-director & Adaptation)

Dr Ooi taught Theatre and English in the English Department of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) for almost 30 years. She was instrumental in founding the Drama Lab at HKU where many generations of Hong Kong directors and actors were nurtured. In 2003, Dr Ooi established Shakespeare4All® Ltd (S4A), a charitable organisation that works with local students on their English fluency and aims to build self-confidence through drama and performances of adapted Shakespearean plays.

Dr Ooi has been the Artistic Director of The Absolutely Fabulous Theatre Connection since 2008. Under her direction, AFTEC has developed a diverse array of programmes that tap into the deep power of the arts to support education and change in young people, encompassing theatre productions, theatre training as well as arts learning. Major programmes include From Page to Stage® series, Classics for Juniorsseries, Young Company and Bravo! Hong Kong Youth Theatre Awards Scheme.

Suen Chi Hung (Co-director)

Suen Chi Hung joined various AFTEC productions as a performer, including Around the World in 80 days, Treasure Island, Merlin the Magician and King Arthur. Suen also works with Hong Kong Singfest as tutor or director.

As a creative actor of Théâtre de la Feuille, Suen devised different pieces with the company, including I Want Euthansia, L’orphelin 2.0, Zheng-he, Papa, and performed in different art festivals in China, Japan, Korea, etc.
Other recent performances Suen participated in: SamKit Popera’s Perfect Match, Trinity Theatre’s Why So Serious 7, 61Production’s Big Big World, Pop Theatre’s Eight Hundred Years of Hatred, Whale, Tension Theatre’s the Girl, Aurora Theatre’s Figaro, New Music Ensemble’s The Soldier’s Tale, Heteroglossia’s Child of Light  and Theatre de la Sardine’s Dinner for One.

In recent years, he studied in the masterclasses of Philippe Gaulier, Marcello Magni, Alan Lucien Øyen and Marie-Hélène Estienne.

Ed Stafford (Author)

Ed Stafford is the Guinness World Record holder of being the first person to walk the entire length of the Amazon River. A former British army captain, his military experience equipped him with necessary skills for survival in the wild. Ed was appointed European Adventurer of the Year 2010. Ed now hosts his own show on the Discovery Channel to motivate more people to join him in the wild.