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What happens when Chinese tai chi, American hip hop and Indian yoga meet face to face in Hong Kong? Will it lead to a clash of cultures or pluralism?
Two deaf performing groups, the acclaimed local Theatre of Silence (TOS) and the dynamic hip hop dance team The Wild Zappers from the United States, will join forces with energetic members of local Youth Outreach to present an action-packed theatre extravaganza, Park and Art.
The story opens with the three action gangs anxious to show their talent and to challenge our society to live up to its vision of cultural diversity and freedom of expression. The performance brings lively street scenes onto the theatre stage with vivid interpretations.
The three groups of special artists demonstrate that, despite their linguistic differences, their common language of performance skills, cultural values and art can prove to be a unifying force to help build a harmonious world and celebrate the spirit of ¡§One World One Dream¡¨.
Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and produced by the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong (ADA), Park and Art is one of the programmes in the International Arts Carnival's new "Sporting Fantasia" series, in support of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Directed by Tang Wai-kit, the performance features dance, mime and physical theatre as well as unexpected body movements and facial expressions. Audiences of all age groups will not only enjoy the show, but will also gain a better understanding of the importance of a harmonious world.
Set up in 1986, ADA is the only non-government organisation in Hong Kong that is solely dedicated to promoting the integration of people with and without disabilities through art activities. Theatre of Silence, praised as "The Best Theatre with a Difference" in Asia by Time Magazine, has gained wide recognition as an outstanding deaf theatre group. Enjoying the same level of acclaim, The Wild Zappers has performed in many countries and its members have received numerous artistic and humanitarian awards, including the Media Access Award in 2001.
Park and Art will be performed at 7.30pm on August 1 and 2, and at 3pm on August 3, at the Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre Theatre.
Tickets priced at $90 and $150 are available at URBTIX outlets. Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens, people with disabilities and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Package discounts of up to 15% are available for full-price performing arts programmes/films of the festival.
Programme guides are available at URBTIX outlets and at the website, www.hkiac.gov.hk
For programme enquiries, please call 2370 1044 (LCSD) or 2286 2503 (ADA). 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, June 19, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:50
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