The huge success of the 2015 Gateway Theatre Pacific Festival makes a resounding case for more diversity in theatre, according to Gateway’s artistic director, Jovanni Sy.
Throughout the month of September, Gateway hosted some high-calibre Chinese-language theatre from Hong Kong and Canada, showcasing international theatre to Lower Mainland audiences.
The results shattered box office and attendance expectations.
“The outpouring of support was simply overwhelming,” said Sy. Ticket revenue for the 2015 Festival was three times that of last year’s inaugural event.
More than 3,000 people attended the 2015 Pacific Festival, which featured four productions from Hong Kong, culminating in a sold-out run of Tuesdays with Morrie. The production featured legendary actor and theatre educator Chung King Fai. Some local audience members described this as a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to see King Sir, as he is affectionately known, live on stage.
The Festival also bridged cultural and generational boundaries.
“Our shows brought people together,“ Sy said. “Our surtitles allowed both Chinese- and English-speakers to enjoy our shows. Generations of families connected over our programming – parents who primarily speak Chinese attended alongside their children who mainly speak English.”
The success of this year’s festival is a sign of things to come as Gateway moves towards more inclusive and diverse programming in the future.
“I feel compelled to move the Gateway Theatre towards truly reflecting today’s Richmond,” Sy said.
“Our tagline for the past two seasons has been You Belong Here and it’s something we seriously strive towards.”
Plans are already underway for the next year’s Festival.
