So the debut of A Bowlful of Kindness - staged at the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre to mark the 35th anniversary celebration of the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre - was well served by their presence.

After all, other sectors were well represented, including numerous politicians and newspaper columnists.

Playwright-cum-director Anthony Chan Kam-kuen said the script was inspired by a book on William Mong Man-wai, the late chairman of Shun Hing Group.

The book chronicles how Mong used National electric rice cookers to carve out his electronics appliance empire.

So the cocktail party that evening was complete with the presence of Shun Hing chairman David Mong Tak-yeung.

Set in the 1960s, the play begins with a starving mainland illegal immigrant - Ah Biu - stealing a bowl of rice from a restaurant.

He then meets an electric appliance technician and finds a job selling portable radio sets before building up a successful business by dint of sheer hard work and his own innovative approach to the rice cooker.

The story takes audiences down the collective memory lane, as it is not just about that one person.

In many other fields, there are similar stories of those who have achieved financial success through similar hard work and by persevering over adversity.

Many of Chan's scripts have been inspired by foreign literary masterpieces, and his works have been staged in Shanghai, Beijing, Melbourne, Edinburgh, London and Toronto, as well as Tarascon and Bordeaux in France.

Based on the rags-to-riches story of a renowned Hong Kong entrepreneur, the latest play has a rich local flavor and holds a particular appeal to the local audience.

In fact, Hong Kong has many touching stories waiting to be told that should make good dramatic material. Siu Sai-wo is chief editor of Sing Tao Daily