All Tchaikovsky - a mixed bill production of the Hong Kong Ballet was successfully staged on 28-30 March 2008 with four performances playing to full houses at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall. The audience applauded enthusiastically at the stunning performance of the Company in a variety of ballets set to Tchaikovsky music.
The production showcased five spectacular works, including Grand Pas de Deux from The Sleeping Beauty by Marius Petipa, Theme and Variations and Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux by George Balanchine, Pas de Quatre from Swan Lake Act I by the Hong Kong Ballet Artistic Director John Meehan, and The Way Alone, a newly commissioned work by Stephen Baynes.
Among the audience were prominent figures from the arts and dance fields including Prof. Kevin Thompson, Ms Jean M. Wong, Ms Tisa Ho, Ms Anna Chan, Mr Cheung Ping-kuen, Mr Yuri Ng and etc. A VIP cocktail reception was held on the opening night where Artistic Director John Meehan expressed his gratitude to virtuoso ballerina Merrill Ashley, répétiteur of Balanchine ballets of the production, as well as to Stephen Baynes, choreographer of The Way Alone for their contribution to the success of All Tchaikovsky.
Having worked with the Company for the second time, Merrill Ashley said, "Under John Meehan's leadership, the Hong Kong Ballet has made impressive progress. Everyone in Hong Kong should be proud of this great cultural asset."
The Way Alone is Stephen Baynes' first work for the Hong Kong Ballet. He said, "Having seen and worked with many companies, I found the Hong Kong Ballet to be a very exciting group. I was amazed by the great depth of talent, and although the standard is already very high, I see enormous potential for development with the opportunity of more performances."
The Company's upcoming highlight Tricolor, an exciting production as one of the events of Le French May, will take place on 13-15 June 2008 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The vision of the iconic French flag - blue, white and red - is transposed into three uniquely distinctive one-act masterpieces: Serge Lifar's Suite en Blanc, George Balanchine's Rubies and Antony Tudor's Jardin aux Lilas. The endless possibilities of dance and the limitless flair of the Hong Kong Ballet are powerfully represented by these three pieces, each with its own defining features and style. Guest répétiteurs including Maina Gielgud, Sandra Jennings, Donald Mahler and Paul DeMasson will come to Hong Kong and stage the ballets with the Company for Tricolor.
Tickets of Tricolor will be available at all URBTIX outlets from 7 April 2008.
Reservation: 2734 9009. Programme details: www.hkballet.com
For media enquiries and interviews, please contact Ms. Cheung at 2105 9722 or Ms. Wong at 2105 9712.
Photos
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| (from left) Merrill Ashley, Prof. Kevin Thompson, John Meehan and friend | (from left) Hong Kong Ballet Honorary CEO Stacey Morse, Stephen Baynes |
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| (from left) Yuri Ng & friend, Jean. M Wong, Anna Chan, Ada Cheng | (from left) Jean. M Wong, Merrill Ashley |
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| (from left) Stephen Baynes, Former Soloist of American Ballet Theatre Chrisa Keramidas | Angela Watkins (right) Director, Marketing and Communications North Asia, Julius Baer (Hong Kong) Limited and friend |
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| Theme and Variations Dancers: Chantel Elizabeth Roulston, Wei Wei Photo: Conrad Dy-Liacco |
Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux Dancers: Jin Yao, Huang Zhen Photo: Conrad Dy-Liacco |
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| Grand Pas de Deux from The Sleeping Beauty Dancers: Faye Leung, Zhang Yao Photo: Conrad Dy-Liacco |
Pas de Quatre from Swan Lake Act I Dancers (from left): Brett Simon, Chantel Elizabeth Roulston, Wei Wei, Wu Fei-fei Photo: Conrad Dy-Liacco |
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| The Way Alone Dancers: Faye Leung, Brett Simon Photo: Conrad Dy-Liacco |