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"No ordinary flamenco show" - The New York Times

Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Compania Maria Pages (Spain) will be staged on February 1 to 3 (Friday to Sunday) at 8pm at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall. Under the artistic direction of renowned and versatile choreographer/ dancer Maria Pages, the Compania Maria Pages will perform a flamenco theatre known as "La Tirana" on February 1 and 2. On February 3, they will perform a traditional flamenco show namely "Flamenco Republic". A mesmerizing vibrance through fiery dancing, beautiful singing, marvelous guitar playing, rhythmic beat and spontaneous verbal outbursts.

The setting of the story "La Tirana" is in a museum. What happens when, at night, the museum close its doors and the paintings rest after so many looks that they suffer during the day? To find the answer to these questions, an intrepid young man, deceiving the guards, decides to spend the night in the Prado Museum to declare his love to the Duchess. The love of the visitor is so intense, that painting takes life, and the Maja awakes and leaves her prison to dance one night of enamored passion. The lovers could not imagine that they weren't along.

The programme places strong emphasis on dramatic script and sensational lighting design, bringing together impressive music and excellent dancing to manifest the depth of flamenco art.

"Flamenco Republic" will give audience a contrast feeling. It represents a state of mind, an imaginary country where the laws which rule it are the laws of flamenco. It represents human's internal territory of sensations and emotions. Seven intimate scenes will remind the voices which during a period of time were the most representative hymn of the culture, as the voice "por Seguiriyas" of Rosalia de Triana y Vallejo, or as the photo of the legendary Nina de los Peines. From the rhythm of the heart beat, through the happiness, the sadness, the rigueur, the elegance, the irony, the scene is invaded by a perfume of nostalgia, and gave the space, almost without been noticed, to a more actual explosion of charm and grace.

Compania Maria Pages is one of the most sought-after flamenco companies in Europe. Its unique style and artistic excellence have kept them in heavy demand throughout Europe and the United States and the company is regularly presented at such reputed festivals as Autumn Festival of Madrid, International Festival of Music and Dance of Granada, etc.

Maria Pages is highly recognized at home and abroad as a creative choreographer in the development of modern flamenco and dancer. As a solo artist, she is notable for the sinuous arm movements, vigorous stamping rhythms and sensational interpretations of flamenco dance. She is the solo artist of the world famous spectacular Riverdance The Show, winning the hearts of the audience in every corner of the world.

Tickets priced at $300, $240, $180 and $100 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-priced concessions will be granted to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Recipients. (Limited tickets for Students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Recipients available on a first-come-first-served basis). There will be a 10% discount for every purchase of 4-9 tickets, 15% for 10-19 tickets and 20% for 20 tickets or more. A 10% discount is also available for Friends of LCSD performing venues.

In addition, members of the public are encouraged to hire the VIP Box and VIP Box and Lounge for private gathering. Interested parties of the above packages are advised to check the details at 2734 2912. Limited sale packages are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

An activity named Interpreting Flamenco will also be held on January 20 (Sunday) at 3 pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre Backstage GR1. Local writer Wong Bik-wan will read in Cantonese the selected passages from her coming novel, Bloody Carmen, a story with a flamenco setting which will soon be published. The reading will be accompanied by a slide show of pictures the author took while she was in Spain. Admission free for performance tickets holders on a first-come-first-served basis.

Moreover, a flamenco workshop will be held on February 2 (Saturday) at 11 am to 12.30pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall Rehearsal Room CR2. It is conducted in Spanish by members of the Company with English Translation. Participants are required to have basic training in flamenco. Tickets priced at $50 are now available at all URBTIX outlets.

Programme enquiries can be made on 2770 2578 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp while ticketing enquiries and reservations on 2734 9009.

End/Thursday, January 3, 2002

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