Raymond To

Raymond To has a sister, Mei Zi (formerly Duyan Zhi), who is an announcer. During his childhood, Raymond had the reputation of being a "broadcasting prodigy" after he participated in Radio Television Hong Kong and Rediffusion Television programmes. In his early years, he performed in movies including The Fatherless Son (1956) and The affairs of Miss Ping^[a] (1960-61).^[1]

In 1971 and 1982, Raymond graduated from the Department of Geography at University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Institute of Education. After graduation, he became a high school teacher at Ho Lap College and was responsible for the school drama club. Andy Lau was one of his students. At this time, he was already an amateur writer.

In 1979, he wrote his first play Ball, which was nominated the most outstanding in the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre original script project. He was then invited to adapt Lao She's Rickshaw Boy, marking the beginning of his career.^[2]

Since 1993, To became the playwright-in-residence of the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre.^[2]

On 3 June 1995, Raymond To, together with Ko Tin-lung and Clifton Ko co-founded the Spring Stage Production Company. In addition to being the playwright, he is also an artistic director. Although the majority of his original work is for the stage, some have been adapted for film.

Raymond To was elected as the 4th president of the Hong Kong Screenwriters' Guild in 1997 and again in 1999. During 2000, he directed his own work for the first time, Forever and Ever, to much acclaim.