Cast Announced for Hong Kong Ballet’s

The Nutcracker

The world’s favourite festive ballet
Proudly presented by FANCL

[Hong Kong – 13 Dec 2016] Hong Kong Ballet’s Artistic Director Madeleine Onne announces the official cast list of The Nutcracker, one of the world’s most beloved ballets, with FANCL as its Title Sponsor.

Four pairs of dancers will be performing the lead roles of Ballerina and Nutcracker in the 13 performances – Yao Jin and Ryo Kato, Fei-fei Ye and Jia-bo Li, Yu-yao Liu and  Wei Wei, and Ge Gao and Lin Li. Additionally, four dancers will make their debuts as main characters in this popular production – Corps de Ballet member Davit Vardanyan as Rat King, Corps de Ballet member Peggy Pui-ki Lai and Apprentice Tirion Lok-huen Law as Clara, and Corps de Ballet member Luis Cabrera as Fritz.

* First Time in Role

Acclaimed Australian choreographer Terence Kohler retains all the elegance and charm of this famous ballet but re-interprets it in his own new visual style, making it a stand-out production from the others. Set to Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score containing some of the best-known melodies in ballet, this grand adventure intermingled with sparkling sets and costumes and scintillating dancing has fast become a favourite for Hong Kong audiences.

The production will run from 16-18 and 20-25 December 2016 at the Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre for 13 performances. Tickets are priced at $680, $480, $320 and $180, with VIP tickets at $1,000. There will be autograph sessions after the 20, 21, 22, 23 December evening performances as well as after the 25 December matinee performance. Some performances are almost sold out, so act now! Tickets are available at URBTIX.

Terence Kohler, Choreographer
Terence Kohler was born in Sydney, Australia. He studied Performing Arts at The McDonald College, and in 2002, he won a scholarship to the Academy of Dance in Mannheim, Germany. In 2004, Terence was employed as both a dancer and choreographer at the Badisches Staatstheater. As a dancer, Terence performed in choreographies by William Forsythe, Jorma Uotinen, Philip Taylor, Peter Wright and Renato Zanella, most notably dancing the role of Mercutio in the German premiere of Kenneth MacMillan's Romeo and Juliet. As a choreographer, he made full-length ballets including Anna Karenina and The Temple Dancer as well as numerous one-act ballets including transcended, in the near distance and Empty Frames.

In 2007, Terence was awarded the German Dance Prize "Future" award for choreography, and in the dance magazine ballettanz, Wiebke Hüster (FAZ), Jochen Schmidt and Bettina Trouwborst nominated him Most Promising Chorographer. In 2009, he took part in a Royal Ballet of Flanders choreographic project, creating 11:11, which was nominated for the prestigious Benois de la Danse.

As Choreographer in Residence with the Bavarian State Ballet in 2009/10, Terence created a full-length murder mystery ballet entitled Série noire, Maurice Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé and a shorter work entitled ONE:third. He also participated in the National Ballet of China’s first ever Choreographic Workshop, creating a one-act ballet entitled TAKE YOUR TIME.

Terence has created ballets including Once Upon an Ever After for the Bavarian State Ballet, Cinderella – a Tragic Tale for the Finnish National Ballet, and RHETORIC for the West Australian Ballet. In April 2013, Terence created a new full-length ballet entitled Helden which opened the Bavarian State Ballet's Festival Week, and in December 2013, the Junior Company presented his new work Streichquintett. In the 2015/16 season, Kohler created Souvenir for the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Tanzstiftung Birgit Keil in Stuttgart, The Little Black Dress/The Riot of Springfor the Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe and ONE for the Ballett am Rhein Düsseldorf Duisburg set to Brahms’ Symphony No. 1.

Creative Team
Choreography Terence Kohler
Music Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Dramaturge Clair Sauran
Set & Costume Design Jordi Roig
Lighting Design David Bofarull
Painters Jordi Castells & Quique Conde
Live Accompaniment Hong Kong Sinfonietta
Conductor Andrew Mogrelia

Performance details
16-18 & 20-25.12.2016
Tue to Fri 7:30pm | Sat & Sun 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
$1,000 (VIP tickets) $680, $480, $320, $180
13 performances
Suitable for ages 3 and above
The performance lasts approximately 2 hours including an intermission

Discounts

Patrons can enjoy only one of the above discounts for each purchase.
Discounts are not applicable to $1,000 VIP tickets

$1,000 VIP Ticket Holders Special Privilege
Present your ticket stub to Hong Kong Ballet’s reception counter (Level 2 Foyer, Hong Kong Cultural Centre) before the end of intermission to receive a coupon for a free drink. Each ticket stub is valid for one free drink only.

FANCL x The Nutcracker Exclusive Privilege
An incredible series of FANCL x The Nutcracker promotions is out now! Check out the exciting details at iFANCL HK Mobile App.

Terms and conditions apply
In case of any dispute, FANCL reserves the right to make final decision

Exclusive Champagne Appreciation Session with Perrier-Jouët Champagne
$1,000 (VIP) and $680 ticket holders can enjoy a complimentary Exclusive Champagne Appreciation Session hosted by Hong Kong Ballet's Champagne Partner Perrier-Jouët Champagne.

Participantmust be aged 18 or above
Original ticket stub must be presented for entrance
One ticket stub admits one person for one entry only
Limited quota; first-come, first-served 
Date of the Exclusive Champagne Appreciation Session to be determined
Terms and conditions may apply
In case of any dispute, Perrier-Jouët Champagne reserves the right to make final decision

Registration:
[email protected]/ [email protected]
(Please include name, phone number and a copy of The Nutcracker ticket stub)

Enquiries:
2398 3636 (Ms Hui) / 6014 9183 (Mr Bin)

15% Off Food and Beverage at InterContinental Hong Kong
Ticket holders can enjoy 15% off food and beverage in all restaurants and bars at InterContinental Hong Kong before or after the performance upon presentation of their tickets on the performance date.
Terms and conditions apply
This offer is not applicable on 24 – 25 December

Enquiries:
2313 2323 / [email protected]

Website:
hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com

Programme Plus!
Pre-performance Talk
The perfect introduction to The Nutcracker, our pre-performance talk will offer exciting insights from behind the scenes of this Christmas classic ballet. Personally hosted by members of the Company, this talk will give you an introduction to Terence Kohler’s unique version of The Nutcracker, set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. Designed to enhance your enjoyment of the festive production that follows, the discussion will include the dancers’ experiences in the show and the ballet’s historical journey from St. Petersburg, Russia to Hong Kong. It’s an unforgettable way for Nutcracker fans of all ages to begin their magical experience at the theatre! 

Date: 17.12.2016 (Sat)
Time: 1:50pm – 2:10pm
[Conducted in English]

Date: 18.12.2016 (Sun)
Time: 6:50pm - 7:10pm
[Conducted in Cantonese]

Venue: Level 2 Foyer, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

The programme is approximately 20 minutes long.
Free admission with The Nutcracker tickets.

Title Sponsor
Beauty and Health Partner	Champagne Partner	Make-Up Partner

DOWNLOAD PRESS PHOTOS 

[Click on the photo to download full image]

Photo 1: The Nutcracker promotional image | Dancers (from left): Jonathan Spigner, Di Wu, Luis Cabrera, Lucas Jerkander, Rui-xue Dong, Jun Xia, Chun-long Leung | Photographer: Tim Wong

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Photo 2: The Nutcracker promotional image | Dancers (from left): Di Wu, Jonathan Spigner, Luis Cabrera, Lucas Jerkander, Rui-xue Dong, Jun Xia, Chun-long Leung | Photographer: Tim Wong

Download

Photo 3: The Nutcracker | Dancers (from left): Yao Jin, Wei Wei and Hong Kong Ballet Dancers | Photographer: Conrad Dy-Liacco

Download

Photo 4: The Nutcracker | Dancers (from left): Chung-long Leung, Wei Wei and Hong Kong Ballet Dancers | Photographer: Conrad Dy-Liacco

Download

Photo 5: The Nutcracker | Dancers (from left): Jun Xia, Jonathan Spigner, Lin Li, Ge Gao, Shunsuke Arimizu | Photographer: Maggie Mok

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Photo 6: The Nutcracker | Hong Kong Ballet Dancers | Photographer: Conrad Dy-Liacco

Download

About FANCL

FANCL was founded in 1980, possesses world-class product research and development technology, manufacturing preservative-free cosmetics and nutritional supplements to eliminate cosmetics-related skin problems, and offering customers a comprehensive health and nutrition support. FANCL has always promoted the “Less is More” culture, which aims to make our convoluted world more simple and direct in order to drive positive changes in people’s quality of life.

About Hong Kong Ballet

An eclectic mix of talent, a balance of classical and contemporary works, and a uniquerepertoire are the trademarks of Hong Kong Ballet, Asia’s premier ballet company.Internationally recognised and acclaimed for its creativity, talent and artistry, the Company,led by Artistic Director Madeleine Onne, is committed to providing captivating experiencesthat delight and inspire audiences from all walks of life, both at home and abroad. 

For further information, please contact:
Nick Chan
Director of Marketing
T: 2105 9716
M: 9728 1777
[email protected]