Hong Kong Ballet announces 2024/25 performance plans, starts Beijing tour in November

Tue Jun 11 09:14:20 CST 2024

Beijing News (Reporter Liu Zhen) Recently, the Hong Kong Ballet announced the 2024/25 dance season performance plan of the dance company, including the premiere of "The Wizard of Oz", "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai", "Frieda" and "Giselle" four large-scale production repertoire, as well as the classics loved by the audience. In November 2024, Hong Kong Ballet will start a tour and bring original dance plays "Alice in Wonderland" and "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai" to the audience in Beijing and Macau respectively.

2024/25 dance season, Gangba will premiere four wonderful large-scale production repertoire: adapted from the fairy tale "The Wizard of Oz" plot wits, fascinating, novel immersive stage effects and art technology for the works to add more unforgettable wonderful elements; as the highlight of the season "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai" by Gangba resident choreographer Hu Songwei creation, this sad love on the modern stage, works blend contemporary Chinese aesthetics and modern style, with the famous designer Ye Jintian's dance design, lead the audience to feel this infatuation story step by step; about the Mexican painter Freda Kahlo legendary life of the dance drama "Freda" by Colombian-Belgian choreographer Ochoa creation, with ballet to tell the pain, life and death Profound issues such as love and self-image, paying tribute to the pioneers of women's rights; the romantic ballet classic "Gisele" re-created by Gangba artistic director Wei Chengtian and South African ballet artist Charla Gan, specially invited "Benoit Dance Award" winning designer Kaplan to create new sets and costumes, telling the story of the love between people and ghosts that transcends life and death.

                                                                           

In addition to the new program, Gangba will also perform the "45th Anniversary International Ballet Superstar Festival". A number of international ballet stars and Gangba artists will join hands to present star-studded performances to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of Gangba. In addition, family-style programs are also eagerly awaited. "The Nutcracker" with the theme of Hong Kong culture returns with fame, and "Ballet Children's Fun Carnival" presents a series of interactive experiences related to "Alice in Wonderland".

In the upcoming dance season, Gangba showcases its international characteristics, inviting a number of renowned artists and groups to work together to create these wonderful works, including Colombian-Belgian choreographer Ochoa, Academy Award-winning designer Ye Jintian, composer Tian Gou, the Australian Orchestra, and many international ballet principal dancers will also add color to the Gangba stage, including Royal Ballet Principal Actor Marianella Nunes, Paris Opera Ballet Principal Actor Xiaogao Marchand, Dutch National Ballet Principal Actor Victor Caisetta, New York City Ballet Principal Actor Emma von Enke, Shanghai Ballet Principal Actor and National First Class Actor Qi Bingxue, and Berlin National Ballet Principal Dancer Ianna · Sharango, international ballet star Daniel Senjian, main actor of Shanghai Ballet, national second-class actor Xu Jingkun, etc.

In November 2024, Gangba will embark on a tour to bring the original dance drama "Alice in Wonderland" to audiences in Beijing. Executive Director Li Yixuan said, "The program of the Hong Kong Ballet 2024/25 dance season is very exciting, with premieres, classic remodels, and immersive art technology. In November, Gangba will debut at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing. Artistic Director Wei Chengtian's award-winning work" Alice in Wonderland "takes everyone on a whimsical journey and presents the vibrant side of Hong Kong to mainland audiences. The 2024/25 dance season is also the 45th anniversary of Gangba, and it is really meaningful to be able to perform the new classics of the dance company at a national venue."

"Alice in Wonderland" premiered in 2018, bringing the classic images of Mr. White Rabbit, Queen of Hearts and Mad Hatter from Carroll's original story to the stage, as well as the imaginative world of imagination and boundless energy, to create a dazzling stage spectacle, and boldly combine dance, theater and chance play, successfully giving this household story a creative new interpretation. The dance drama is carefully crafted by an international team, with dazzling costumes designed by Liz Vandal, costume designer of Cirque du Soleil. The stage design of James Za is luxurious and gorgeous, and the original music of Matthew Pierce is unforgettable. The work fuses the vitality of traditional ballet and contemporary dance, presenting the magical charm of wonderland in a dazzling interpretation, as well as the wonders that Alice encountered during her adventures.

                                                                       

In addition, Gangba will also bring the original dance drama "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai" to the Macao stage in November this year, as the first stop of this newly produced drama, showcasing the unique beauty of combining Chinese and Western.

At the launch of the 2024/25 dance season, Gangba also released a new dance film "Tutu Academy". The film is set in Hong Kong, where retro and futuristic elements are intertwined. The story begins with the experience of an outer space visitor arriving in Hong Kong. The audience follows him to explore unfamiliar environments while also experiencing the fun of ballet and its inclusive characteristics. "To celebrate the 45th anniversary of Gangba, we are shooting a new dance film with the theme of" Tutu Academy "to promote the power of ballet to unite people and use dance as the language to break down communication barriers," said Wei Chengtian, artistic director.

Hong Kong Ballet was established in 1979 and is renowned internationally for its unique charm, outstanding works and outstanding performances with Hong Kong characteristics. Today, Hong Kong Ballet is a vibrant artistic group with a rich repertoire and forward-looking expansion plans. 50 elite dancers from all over the world have won the support and recognition of various parties at home and abroad. The repertoire includes a number of newly produced classical ballet treasures, Balanchine's neoclassical masterpieces, long-form ballets specially created for Hong Kong Ballet, and works with Hong Kong characteristics. It also performs the masterpieces of famous choreographers in the dance industry today, as well as the works of resident choreographer Wu Songwei and new choreographers in Hong Kong from time to time. The dance company has conducted nearly 50 world tours to date, covering 11 countries.