[Hong Kong - 25 August 2008] The Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) ended its midsummer production of Coppélia to a rapturous audience inside the Grand Theatre last night just two days after typhoon Nuri swept over Hong Kong, disrupting daily life as well as causing the cancellation of Coppélia's opening performance. With the help of the Cultural Centre, audience members with tickets to the storm-struck performance were able to enjoy one of the other four performances of Coppélia on Saturday and Sunday, bringing a memorable summer weekend to a close.
When notified of the impending typhoon, The Hong Kong Ballet responded swiftly with alternative arrangements for audience members holding tickets for the cancelled performance. Ticket exchange or refund details were announced on its official website and the enquiry hotline remained open throughout the weekend. While some audience members chose to attend Giselle and The Nutcracker, which are being performed by the HKB later in the year, many opted to attend one of the other four shows of Coppélia.
The HKB also organized a series of Programme Plus activities, providing opportunities for the audience to get closer to the Company. To enhance the audience's enjoyment and appreciation of Coppélia, the ballet's choreographic history and characteristics were introduced in a Pre-performance Talk. Two Pre-performance Workshops for children were held before the weekend matinee performances. By teaching them dance sequences from the ballet, they learnt to appreciate the art of ballet and the hard work of the professionals on stage.
The spectacular sets and costumes, designed by the famous Italian Roberta Guidi di Bagno, added glamour and colour to the production. Pre-registered audience members were invited on a Backstage Tour, which gave them a chance to take a close look at the magical set and costumes. Many also queued to have their photo taken with the ballet's main characters - the Coppélia doll and Dr Coppélius.
As one of the major government subvented arts organizations, The Hong Kong Ballet actively takes part in community service. Senior citizens from The Helping Hand, The Hong Kong Society for the Aged, The Elderly Centre of Tsim Sha Tsui Kaifong Welfare Association and International Women's League Social Centre for the Elderly were invited to attend the dress rehearsal for free.
Coppélia delighted audiences with its light-hearted story, colourful characters and acting, exciting dance sequences and exquisite pas de deux, putting a smile on the face of everyone who came to the Grand Theatre.
About The Hong Kong Ballet
The Hong Kong Ballet is recognized as one of the leading ballet companies in Asia, and constitutes the sole professional ballet company in Hong Kong. Led by Artistic Director John Meehan, the Company's 43 dancers participate in more than 40 performances every year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets to an estimated audience of over 45,000. Since its founding in 1979, the Hong Kong Ballet has emerged as an effective international ambassador for Hong Kong, making more than 17 international tours to 10 countries since 1997. The Company's repertoire ranges from the great full-length ballets of the 19th century such as Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker and Giselle, to some of the best classical works of the 20th century, including Balanchine's Rubies, Theme and Variations and Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Antony Tudor's Jardin aux Lilas, Serge Lifar's Suite en Blanc, Rudi van Dantzig's Romeo and Juliet and Ronald Hynd's The Merry Widow. The repertoire also includes acclaimed contemporary masterpieces such as Stephen Mill's Hush and Stanton Welch's Clear. The Company regularly conducts active educational and community outreach programmes to an annual audience of 20,000.
Press Contacts:
Heidi Chik |
Irene So |
Photos
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| Coppélia Dancers: Faye Leung, Conrad Dy-Liacco Photo: Jimmy Chan |
Coppélia Dancers: Faye Leung, Conrad Dy-Liacco Photo: Jimmy Chan |
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| Coppélia Dancers: Faye Leung, Brett Simon Photo: Jimmy Chan |
Coppélia Dancers: Faye Leung, Brett Simon Photo: Jimmy Chan |
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| Coppélia Dancers: Huang Zhen, Wei Wei, Izak David Claase Photo: Jimmy Chan |
Coppélia Dancers: Jin Yao Photo: Jimmy Chan |
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| Coppélia Dancers: Jin Yao, Zhang Yao Photo: Jimmy Chan |
Coppélia Dancers: Jin Yao, Zhang Yao Photo: Jimmy Chan |
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| The Pre-performance Talk on Sunday gave background information of the repertoire to the audience, enhancing their appreciation as well as enjoyment. | Children enjoyed learning different steps in the Coppélia's Pre-performance Workshop including elements from the Coppélia doll and the Scottish dance. |
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| After the Saturday matinee, Dr Coppélius and Coppélia met the audience in the photo session. |