Chung Ying Theatre Company
Chung Ying Theatre Company was established in
1979 to nurture artistic excellence through the development of new
plays, theatre-in-education projects and training of theatre practitioners.
In 2004, its creative team members devised and staged four original
plays, including one commissioned by the International Arts Carnival.
Besides, the company toured to Japan with its award-winning production
as well as brought a Japanese company to Hong Kong under the 'Bilateral
Cultural Exchange Project'. Apart from standard drama/theatre-in-education
projects, the company also received subsidies from Quality Education
Fund to hold Ethics Theatre Forum 4R Series in primary and secondary
schools.
City Contemporary Dance Company
The City Contemporary Dance Company, established
in 1979, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2004. It is a professional
modern dance company that endeavours to rally the best Chinese talents
in creating dance in the contemporary context of China. The company
has performed in Houston, Los Angeles and Guangzhou for cultural
exchange. The company's Education and Outreach Department (reformed
as the company's Dance Centre since 1 January 2004) offered year-round
comprehensive dance courses for both adults and children, and presented
outdoor performances as part of its activities to reach out to the
community.
Hong Kong Ballet
Hong Kong Ballet is one of the foremost professional
classical ballet companies in Asia. It has also built an international
reputation with successful tours to the Mainland, North America,
Europe and other parts of Asia. The company presents a broad-based
repertoire which includes classical ballets as well as original
Chinese-themed productions.
In 2004, the company produced two new ballets.
One of them was the first full-length ballet accompanied by the
Chinese Orchestra. Other productions during the year include Turandot
which was given the 2004 Hong Kong Dance Award, a trilogy of three
one-act ballets and two everlasting classical ballets.
The company successfully completed tours as a
Cultural Ambassador of Hong Kong and performed at Huayi Chinese
Festival of Arts in Singapore., undertook a 22-day North American
tour under the Government's Relaunch Hong Kong campaign, and participated
in the Hong Kong Culture Week in Shanghai.
Educational programmes also form an integral part
of the company's activities. The company's Education and Outreach
Department promoted dance to people of all ages and background through
11 projects including a Multi-media Dance Education Project, Hong
Kong Community Dance Festival and School Cultural Day during the
year.
Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, incorporated
as a non-profit-making company in 2001, is a professional Chinese
music orchestra that has gained international recognition. Under
the leadership of its artistic director, it has made notable achievements
in promoting the development of Chinese orchestral music.
During the year, it gave 100 regular, outreach
and special concerts. As the Cultural Ambassador of Hong Kong, the
orchestra was invited to participate in major cultural events around
the world including the Ode to Peace Concert of the World Historical
and Cultural Cities Expo in Nanjing, Saint-Denis Arts Festival for
Les Annees Chine-France in France, Hong Kong Cultural Week in Shanghai
jointly presented by the Shanghai Opera House and the Hong Kong
Arts Development Council, and HKCO Plays Memorable Tunes in Nanjing.
Hong Kong Dance Company
The Hong Kong Dance Company was also incorporated
as a non-profit-making organisation in 2001. The company is committed
to promoting the art of Chinese dance and dance drama with a unique
Hong Kong style. For years, the company has staged more than 100
productions by Mainland, overseas and local choreographers. The
company has also performed in the Mainland and overseas to foster
cultural exchange. In September and November, it had touring performances
in Hangzhou, Shanghai and Macao respectively, receiving rave reviews
to its performances.
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, with 89
members, is the city's oldest and largest orchestra and presents
more than 100 performances a year. The orchestra renews its commitment
to artistic excellence, while extending its education and outreach
programmes to embrace the entire community. The orchestra's education
programme also offered free classical music programmes to over 64 000
students in the community.
Hong Kong Repertory Theatre
Hong Kong Repertory Theatre is the first professional
drama theatre in Hong Kong. Its extensive repertoire is performed
mostly in Cantonese, with Putonghua used for selected productions.
Other than original works, the company also performs adaptations
of foreign plays and modern theatre classics. During the year, the
company staged nine productions of different genres in 153 performances,
including 13 student performances. Apart from its major productions,
the company toured 127 schools, organised three summer drama camps
and presented 24 sessions of theatre workshops for youths and the
community. The company is committed to further exploring cross-border
cultural exchange and sourcing more performance opportunities in
the Mainland as well as other territories. In September, the company
staged two performances in Hangzhou and two charity performances
in Shanghai, receiving overwhelming responses and positive remarks.
Hong Kong Sinfonietta
Established by a group of local musicians, the
Hong Kong Sinfonietta continued to bring music to a wide range of
audience. The orchestra prides itself on the predominantly local
makeup of its musicians, and through its performances, cultivates
a stronger interest in the arts within the community. The orchestra
continued to bring quality music to local and international audience
through numerous performances. Notably, the orchestra was invited
to take part in two music festivals in France in the context of
Year of China in France. And, locally it collaborated with internationally-renowned
artists for well-attended performances. The orchestra also brought
several series of interactive educational concerts to audience of
all ages.
Theatre Ensemble
Theatre Ensemble has endeavoured to create high-quality
theatre works that are physical, creative and humorous. In 2004,
the company staged three new productions, restaged a children's
show and organised an outreach production. Besides, the group extended
its Asian Tour 2004 to Japan and Taiwan with its award-winning production.
A long-term joint project entitled Pleasure In Play (PIP), signifying
a reforming operational and development of professional theatre
groups, was formally launched by the Hong Kong Arts Centre and Theatre
Ensemble. The PIP School, established in 2003, started a series
of courses on professional acting and art of living.
Zuni Icosahedron
Zuni Icosahedron is a multimedia experimental
theatre group and has played an important role in developing new
frontiers for Hong Kong's cultural scene. It has been active in
theatre productions as well as in the areas of arts education, arts
criticism and arts policy research. In 2004, Zuni created four experimental
performances. Popularising experimental arts and culture has always
been the group's main focus. In 2004, it continued to organise a
series of multimedia theatre workshops and joint-school performances
for students; and the publication of arts and cultural magazine,
E+E, has expanded its distribution network for a wider
coverage. Zuni was also invited to take part in international cultural
exchange activities held in Taiwan and Norway.
|