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Choreographer, director, actor and photographer, Wim Vandekeybus will soon make his Hong Kong debut with "Blush".
Two electrifying shows, featuring Vandekeybus' company, Ultima Vez, will be held on September 19 and 20 (Friday and Saturday) at 8pm at the Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theatre.
Known for his powerful, energetic and dangerous style, Vandekeybus has developed his choreography from everyday movement. He pushes dancers and technology beyond their limits in a fusion of live action, film and music.
In the true Vandekeybus style, "Blush" is about isolation and liberation. It is confrontational and intensely physical. Central to the piece is the human body: restless, unpredictable, powerful yet fragile.
Wild rock music by David Eugene Edwards and lyrics by Peter Verhelst form the background to an avalanche of images. One of the scenes shows a woman making love to a man as he snores. Another scene shows an immense wall of bags brutally crushing two dancers. Diving from the stage onto the screen, dancers seamlessly reappear on film, transformed into water nymphs in an underwater netherworld. "Blush" is full of electrifying emotion and sensuality. The production contains scenes of nudity.
After working for two years with Jan Fabre, Vandekeybus formed Ultima Vez in Brussels. With his first choreography, "What the Body Does Not Remember". Vandekeybus immediately made an international breakthrough and won the New York Bessie Award in 1988. He has since won numerous international prizes for his choreography and film work. As music plays a significant part in Vandekeybus' productions, he has commissioned David Byrne and David Eugene Edwards to compose music for his spectacles.
Tickets for "Blush", which is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LSCD), are priced at $230, $170 and $100 and are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price concessions will be granted to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for students and CSSA recipients are available on a first-come, first-served basis). There will be a 10% discount for every purchase of four to nine tickets, 15% for 10-19 tickets and 20% for 20 tickets or more. Friends of LCSD performing venues will also receive a 10% discount.
Applications are open for professional dancers and those who are experienced in dance performance to attend a master class to be conducted by Vandekeybus on September 20 (Saturday) at 2.30pm at the Rehearsal Room, Kwai Tsing Theatre. Vandekeybus will introduce his approach to movement and inspire participants to explore and confront his energetic dance style. Admission to the workshop, to be conducted in English, is free. Seats are limited. Call 2268 7323 for application forms and enquiries.
In addition, as part of the programmme,"2-D Dancing: Movement in Image", LCSD will screen "Dance Video/Film by Wim Vandekeybus" with a discussion session. Dance videos "Roseland" and "Silver" will be screened on September 7 (Sunday) at 5pm at the Lecture Room, Kwai Tsing Theatre. On September 21 (Sunday) at 5pm at the same place, a dance video "In Spite of Wishing and Wanting" and short film "Inasmuch..." will be screened. Vandekeybus will attend the discussion after the screening on September 21.
For programme enquiries, call 2268 7323; for ticketing enquiries and reservations, call 2734 9009; for credit card telephone bookings, call 2111 5999; for Internet bookings, visit www.urbtix.gov.hk; for more details and information, visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp.
End/Tuesday, August 12, 2003
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