November 4,1997

First musical role at school Chung Chung (Left) did a musical in secondary school. She started her showbiz career in 1985 after winning TVB's Hongkong Variety Night singer-lookalike contest (as a Sally Yeh lookalike). She has been acting and singing. Best remembered for hits like Song Bird, The Crescent Moon and Remembrance, she has acted in TV serials such as The Song Bird, Instinct and Knot To Treasure.

Hongkong television actress Chan Chung Ling takes over as Snow in Jacky Cheung's musical, Snow.Wolf.Lake, in November. But she has to lose weight and stay out of the sun until the show ends. Chung Ling replaces singer Sandy Lam, who played the lead in the musical in Hongkong in March.

It's not that Chung Ling is fat. But she needs to slim down so lead actor Jacky can lift her up with ease. And she has to stay out of the sun because she's supposed to be a fair lady. The two are daunting tasks for Chung Ling, or Chung Chung as she is known affectionately. Eating and swimming are her favourite pastimes.

"I've been dreaming about food recently, like eating chicken drumstick and fries!" she told The New Paper in an interview at the Regent Hotel in Hongkong last week while tucking into a plate of salad. But she has lost about two to three kilos.

Avoiding the sun is another challenge.

"I love outdoor swimming!"

Food and the sun are not the only things Chung Chung has to sacrifice. She also has to postpone the recording of her album. Originally scheduled to be released this month, the Mandarin album will now be out next month instead.

Chung Chung was offered the role in the musical in September. Her agent, Florence Chan, is the producer.

Said Chung Chung: "When Florence called me asking if I was interested, I said yes straight away.

"I watched the musical twice earlier this year and I was thinking how wonderful it'd be if I had a chance to be involved.

"I've always thought of bringing my own music career to a higher level. Doing a musical is a good way of achieving that."

Sandy has received critical acclaim for her performance. So how is Chung Chung coping with the pressure?

"Actually, it's a lucky thing Sandy played the role first, so now I have a model to follow. And when I add in my own plus points to the role, the end results should be good," the cheery lass said confidently.

She has been busy these days jogging to improve her stamina, taking lessons in singing and breathing techniques, learning her songs and rehearsing her dance steps. She is looking forward to the day when group rehearsals start on Nov 8.

"It'll be so fun. It'll be like going back to school and playing with lots of mates," she chirped.

Adapted from the Electric New Paper's website