Love and Other Ghosts

The elusive, perhaps even illusory, pursuit of true love haunts the play Why We Chat, helmed by award-winning Hong Kong director Edward Lam. The three-hour drama stars popular Taiwanese actor David Wang as the developer of a mobile app that offers lonely people the virtual companionship of attractive avatars. One of the avatars (played by screen legend Sylvia Chang) turns out to be more real than the others, leading him to believe she truly exists. Written by sought-after playwright Wong Wing Sze, the play is in Mandarin with English surtitles.

Why We Chat is part of Esplanade's Huayi Festival, and plays at the Esplanade Theatre till March 4. Tickets available from Sistic.