SINGAPORE, March 31 — Tse Kwan-Ho may be one of the most blessed theatre stars in Hong Kong today. The veteran actor’s name is almost synonymous with that of Kong Yu Kau, the eccentric Cantonese opera playwright whose genius and poor temperament won him both admirers and enemies during his career. Kong also happens to be the protagonist of The Mad Phoenix, one of Hong Kong’s most famous plays, which tells his story from the height of his career in the early 20th century to his death in the 1970s.

This year, Mediacorp VizPro and Spring-Time Productions will be staging the Cantonese play at The Theatre @ Mediacorp, after a well-attended run at The Kallang Theatre in 2014.

Over the years, Tse has played Kong more than a hundred times, since The Mad Phoenix was first staged in 1993. Even after more than two decades, Tse, who won the Best Actor award at 1997 Golden Horse Awards for his performance in the film version of the play, learns something new about the show every time it is staged.

“Every time we stage the show, it’s a new audience, and it’s like a brand new show. It’s something I really look forward to, because nothing is fixed and anything can happen,” Tse said in a phone interview with TODAY.

Tse, having spent the bulk of his adult years playing the same role, also spoke about how he gains news perspectives about the character as he grows.

“The last time I did this show, I felt very strongly that I had grown. When I played Kong in the past, I felt that life had been unfair to him when he reaches the end of his life. But I feel differently now,” the 53-year-old said. “I think of his life as a journey, because he grows up and learns to let go. He learns what life is really about, and that his stubbornness is the root of his pain. It doesn’t mean that he has given in, but he does gain new perspective on the meaning of life.”

The actor added that he was looking forward to bringing the show back to Singapore, especially after he noticed many young faces in the audience.

“I didn’t think they would be interested in a (play about opera),” Tse said. “But a good script will appeal to audiences, no matter what generation they are from. Young people may not watch opera anymore, but they may be curious about Kong.”

“After all, he is quite a stubborn character, and the audience seems to love it when he loses his temper,” he chuckled, adding that many fans of the play loved how Kong’s witticisms were uniquely Cantonese. “People don’t like it when they get told off, when you watch such a talented person scolding someone else, you’ll think it’s funny and forgive him for it — as long as you are not the one getting scolded.”

The Mad Phoenix will be staged from May 13 to 15 at The Theatre @ MediaCorp Tickets from S$48 to S$168 (about RM139 to RM488) from SISTIC. — TODAY