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The Hong Kong Dance Company (HKDC) debuted its award-winning production "The Legend of Mulan" in Australia today (September 17).
Four shows of the dance drama, sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (HKETO), will be performed at the Concourse Theatre in Sydney until September 19 (Saturday).
"The Legend of Mulan", a Chinese poem known to many through a 1998 animated Disney film, is a story of heroism and honour. It tells the tale of a young girl, Mulan, who takes up martial arts and, disguised as a man, goes into battle in the place of her elderly father.
Officiating at the launch ceremony of the performance, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, said that the HKDC's presentation of the ancient Chinese classic of bravery, honour and high drama fuses the modern and the traditional and East and West in a uniquely Hong Kong style.
"The troupe is one of nine major performing arts groups in Hong Kong and has toured around the world, showcasing Hong Kong talent and creativity," Mrs Lam said.
She noted that Sydney and Hong Kong have much in common.
"Both are great business cities. Sydney is, of course, a wonderful arts and cultural hub. Hong Kong is playing catch-up: our vision is to also be an arts and cultural hub of international stature," she added.
Mrs Lam said that a variety of arts festivals throughout the year display the diversity and vibrancy of Hong Kong's cultural scene.
"The business of art is also thriving in Hong Kong, which is now the world's third largest art auction market after New York and London.
"We are also building infrastructure to realise our vision. We have already converted a number of wonderful heritage buildings into arts spaces, and the 40-hectare West Kowloon Cultural District is now taking shape on a dramatic harbour-front site," Mrs Lam said.
The Director of the HKETO, Mr Arthur Au, said, "In addition to preparing for the four performances at the Concourse Theatre, the HKDC participated in a number of community and exchange activities on its first two days in Sydney.
"Through these activities, local communities were engaged, thereby promoting Chinese dance culture among Australians."
On Monday morning (September 14), HKDC dancers participated in a joint ballet class with the Sydney Dance Company (SDC) and delivered a technique class to the student dancers of the SDC. In the afternoon, HKDC dancers conducted a masterclass at the Lee Academy.
On Tuesday (September 15), HKDC dancers took part in a morning workshop with students from Newtown High School of the Performing Arts. In the afternoon, the dancers gave a performance at the Open Air Square of the World Square Shopping Centre. Members of the public were happy to join the dancing fun with the dancers and learn Chinese dance moves.
During the week, two exhibitions organised by the HKETO are being held in the Sydney central business district to celebrate Hong Kong's culture. One is "Hong Kong in Miniature" at the Westfield Sydney Shopping Centre, displaying 24 mini models featuring Hong Kong's traditions and lifestyle. The other is "Welcome to Our World: ArtsĄPCultureĄPHong Kong", located at the World Square Shopping Centre and showcasing Hong Kong's cultural diversity.
Ends/Thursday, September 17, 2015
Issued at HKT 20:57
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