An Overview of the Development of Children’s and Youth Theatre in Hong Kong 2017 & 2018—Case Studies of Arts Groups and Their Future Prospects

According to the latest statistics from the Census and Statistics Department, as of the end of 2018, there were 1,155,900 people under 19 years of age in Hong Kong, which constituted approximately 15.4 per cent of the total population of Hong Kong. Children and teenagers make up about one-sixth of the total population of Hong Kong. How are adults going to equip them for an uncertain future? What role will art and culture play in their upbringing? Children’s and youth theatre can foster the development of the senses, broaden the imagination and inspire thinking, and nurture future audiences for the arts. In this light, the development of children’s and youth theatre is one of the cornerstones of a city’s overall development. According to the performance data collected in the Hong Kong Theatre Yearbook 2016, there are around 40 local arts groups mainly catering to children and youth. We selected four local arts organisations targeting different age groups, interviewed them, and wrote up the case studies included in this article. These four groups were established between five to 27 years ago; they differ in size, funding sources and production modes, and are representative in their respective fields of expertise. The interviews focus on the arts programmes of the four arts groups during 2017 and 2018. Using their experiences as a starting point, the interviews explore the current situation and challenges in the development of children’s and youth theatre in Hong Kong, as well as visions and recommendations for the future.