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Spanish theatre La Baldufa is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a new production, "The Happy Prince", to be staged in Hong Kong in March. Combining different creative styles and techniques including shadow images, puppetry and projections, La Baldufa transforms a classic tale into a brand new multi-disciplinary show.
A lesson of love and generosity, "The Happy Prince" is the story of a majestic statue that looks down over a city. The prince had led an easy, luxurious life, completely unconcerned by what was happening beyond the walls of his castle. Now a statue, the prince is covered from head to foot in gold and precious stones. However, he is not happy. From his privileged position he sees the misery of many of the city's people. The poverty he was previously unaware of now becomes his pain and every night he cries from the impotence of not being able to help them.
One day, a swallow flying over the city takes refuge at the foot of the prince's statue. Touched by the prince's kindness, she agrees to help him despite the fact that she does not have long - winter is on its way and she has to emigrate to warmer lands where her fellow swallows are waiting for her. The swallow, guided by the prince, takes his precious stones and gold and gives them to the people who need them.
Established in 1996, La Baldufa aims to create shows of high artistic quality while also maintaining an ideological commitment to the values of solidarity, tolerance and respect. The company has toured France, Italy, Germany, the UK, Portugal, Belgium, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Poland, Finland, Mexico and the Mainland. It has also performed at many festivals in Spain, receiving marvelous responses from audiences and reviewers alike.
Performed in English with Chinese surtitles, "The Happy Prince" is one of the Miracle Fun programmes presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. It will be held at 8pm on March 15 (Friday) and 3pm on March 16 (Saturday) at the Theatre, Sheung Wan Civic Centre, and 4pm on March 17 (Sunday) at the Auditorium, North District Town Hall. Tickets ranging from $120 to $200 are now available at URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by credit card telephone booking. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis). A maximum discount of 20 per cent is offered for the Miracle Fun booking package.
Other programmes of the Miracle Fun include "Monster Family" by the Jumbo Kids Theatre, "Hairy the Little Macaque" by the Fantasy Puppet Theatre, "U900 Ukulele HK Concert 2013" (Japan) and "Firefly" by the Evolution Dance Theater (Italy/USA).
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/f_entertainment/program_142.html. Ticketing enquiries can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone bookings on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Friday, February 1, 2013
Issued at HKT 14:37
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