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Appraised by The New York Times as "a folk gem with classical facets", the world-renowned Georgian National Dance Company Sukhishvili will bring to Hong Kong audience an exhilarating ethnic dance extravaganza next month (October). Due to overwhelming response, an additional performance will be held on October 29 at Sha Tin Town Hall. Tickets are available at URBTIX outlets from tomorrow (September 11).
Seamlessly merging East and West, ancient and new, the programme of Georgian National Dance Company Sukhishvili features a stunning dance of athletic ability and mystical charm.
Works of the company combine the romance and elegance of classical ballet, with the agility of contemporary dance and modern ballet elements based on Georgian folk music. Live musical accompaniment adds to the exuberant atmosphere as heroic warriors engage in swashbuckling feats, including full-body flips, and ethereal women float by.
Its upcoming programme, featuring 20 pieces of work, is a performance about fight, suffering and heroism of Georgian people with fabulous costumes and gorgeous choreography portraying Georgian soul: men thrill spectators with their incredible skills and warlike temperament, and stunningly beautiful women fascinate audiences with their charming dance.
The Washington Post commented: "unarguably...there's not a finer professional troupe in the world"; "the steps, rhythm, music and acrobatic beats originate from Georgian folklore, however all that is elaborated upon and theatricised, resulting in a cohesion of marvellous, artistic units".
With a history spanning 60 years, the group has toured five continents in more than 200 tours, 88 countries, held more than 10,000 performances for more than 50 million people, earning media acclaim as the "Eighth Wonder of the World".
Georgian National Dance Company Sukhishvili was officially founded in 1945 by Iliko Sukhishvili and Nino Ramishvili and was the first professional state dance company in Georgia. Since 1945, three generations of Sukhishvili family have dedicated their lives to Georgian folk dance.
The company has appeared in the Royal Albert Hall, The Metropolitan Opera and Teatro Alla Scala. After a tour in the UK, one of the streets in Sunderland was named "Georgia" in honour of the Georgian National Dance Company Sukhishvili. Sovereign postal stamps were issued in 2001 in the name of the company, indicating the acknowledgment of the contribution of the ensemble and its founders in cultural heritage of Georgia.
The Georgian National Dance Company Sukhishvili visit is one of the programmmes of the Silk Road Arts Festival presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. It will be staged at 8pm on October 29 and 30 at Sha Tin Town Hall Auditorium; and also at 8pm on October 31 at Tsuen Wan Town Hall Auditorium.
Tickets priced at $120, $180, $260, $320 (for Sha Tin Town Hall), and $100, $160, $220, $280 (for Tsuen Wan Town Hall) are available at URBTIX outlets.
Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Group booking discount of up to 20% are available for full-price performing arts/film programmes of the festival.
Programme guides are available at URBTIX outlets and on the website www.silkroadfestival.gov.hk
For programme enquiries, please call 2370 1044. Internet bookings can be made at www.urbtix.hk . Credit card telephone bookings can be made on 2111 5999 and telephone reservations on 2734 9009.
Ends/Thursday, September 10, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:14
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