FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hong Kong Ballet’s Inspiring 2024/25 Season
Celebrates its 45th Anniversary
Featuring ‘Tutu Academy’, Asian premieres of The Wizard of Oz and Frida,
a world premiere of The Butterfly Lovers and a fresh, new Giselle
[Hong Kong—30 May 2024] Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) is thrilled to announce its 2024/25 Season productions with a fabulous line-up of premieres and beloved classics as well as the premiere of ‘Tutu Academy’, a joyful and quirky short film celebrating HKB’s 45th Anniversary. The company will premiere four full-length productions: The Wizard of Oz, a fantastical journey with Dorothy and friends, The Butterfly Lovers, the classic Chinese legend of star-crossed lovers, Frida, based on the poignant life of acclaimed 20th century surrealist Frida Kahlo, and a breath-taking new Giselle with its compelling story of passion, betrayal and redemption. Families will enjoy the beloved Hong Kong-themed The Nutcracker during the festive season and a charming Ballet Carnival for Kids with its interactive ALICE (in wonderland) activities, including a memorable The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.
Artistic Director Septime Webre shares, ‘Our whimsical Tutu Academy short film is about the unifying nature of ballet in honour of our 45th Anniversary. Set in retro-futuristic Hong Kong, it follows a space alien as he navigates a strange, new environment and finds acceptance and happiness through the universal language of ballet, reminding us all of the beauty of meaningful connections in our weird and wonderful world.’
Executive Director Heidi Lee said, ‘Audiences can expect bigger and better things from HKB, and we would love your continued support as we debut shows and host community events. If you purchase tickets during the advance booking period, you can enjoy the best discounts and seats for the shows. We are incredibly grateful to UOB, Henderson Land Group, AIRSIDE, Van Cleef & Arpels and Harbour City for their generous support this historic season. I’m also happy to share that in honour of the company’s original name 45 years ago, we proudly launched Hong Kong Academy of Ballet, formerly HKB Workshops.’
Renowned International Guest Artists
This season features Belgian-Colombian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Academy-award winning designer Tim Yip, Chinese composer Tian Mi, the acclaimed Macao Orchestra and renowned guest principal dancers from around the world, including The Royal Ballet Principal Marianela Nuñez and Paris Opera Ballet Étoile Hugo Marchand, Dutch National Ballet Principal Victor Caixeta, New York City Ballet Principal Emma Von Enck, Shanghai Ballet First Principal Qi Bingxue, Berlin State Ballet Principal Iana Salenko, International ballet star Daniil Simkin, Shanghai Ballet Principal Xu Jingkun.
Ticket Booking and Memberships
Advance booking is available for the best available seats at discounted prices for productions from now until 21 July at POPTICKET. Patrons can join Friends of Hong Kong Ballet for free when they book three or more shows and get exclusive benefits like ticket and merchandise discounts. Families can enjoy ballet together with the Ballet Family Club, which offers opportunities like observing HKB dancers in company classes on stage and priority enrolment for the new ‘Grow Together/Dance Together’ parent-child workshop series.
HKB on Tour
In November 2024, HKB will hit the road on tour to Macau and Beijing with The Butterfly Lovers and ALICE (in wonderland), respectively, at Macao Cultural Centre and Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts. Hong Kong audiences are invited to come along on a cultural tour in Beijing with HKB to experience the exciting sights and sounds of meaningful historic landmarks and places of interest.
The Hong Kong Academy of Ballet
The Academy offers high-quality classical ballet training in a warm, nurturing environment with a unique curriculum designed to build a solid foundation in ballet technique and develop artistry. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of disciplines from the Academy’s faculty, guest artists and choreographers and have exciting opportunities to perform with Hong Kong Ballet dancers.
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Inspiring 2024/25 Season Productions
The Wizard of Oz [30 Aug - 1 Sep 2024]
Join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion as they journey to Emerald City and triumph over the Wicked Witch in Septime Webre’s boldly inventive production, and experience a heartwarming tale of family and friendship with immersive cutting-edge arts technology!
The Butterfly Lovers [18 - 27 Oct 2024]
This transcendent world premiere from HKB Choreographer-in-Residence Hu Song Wei Ricky tells the epic Chinese legend of a humble scholar and aristocratic heiress in a glorious fusion of inspiring dance, contemporary Chinese aesthetics and eternal hope.
45th Anniversary International Ballet Gala [25 Oct 2024]
Experience breathtaking artistry with international star dancers and HKB artists celebrating HKB’s landmark 45th anniversary! This enthralling must-see event features dazzling contemporary works and mesmerising classical excerpts.
The Nutcracker [13 - 29 Dec 2024]
Webre’s holiday classic is filled with opulent sets and costumes and beloved Hong Kong elements that enchant audiences year after year. From snowflakes to sword fights, The Nutcracker abounds in spectacle and wonder and brings out the child in everyone.
Ballet Carnival for Kids: The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party [25 - 26 Jan 2025]
Families are invited to an engaging ballet gala with Alice, the White Rabbit, Queen of Hearts and Mad Hatter. Dress up as your favourite character, win prizes in our costume contest and join a zany Mad Hatter Tea Party!
Frida [4 - 6 Apr 2025]
Within a magical world of surrealism, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s visually stunning Fridatells the visionary artist’s multifaceted life story of triumph and tragedy with rich imagery from her bold paintings and deeply personal self-portraits.
Giselle [30 May - 8 Jun 2025]
Charla Genn and Webre’s Giselle is a transcendent tale of love, betrayal and redemption, as a carefree peasant girl unexpectedly falls in love with a flirtatious nobleman in disguise, leading to heartbreak and supernatural drama.
For interviews and further information, please contact:
Jerry Qiu | Communications & Programme Manager | T: 21059753 / 68796734 | [email protected]
Ruth Chung | Senior Marketing and PR Officer | T: 21059716 / 97417319 | [email protected]
About Hong Kong Ballet
Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) is recognised internationally as a world-class institution that represents Hong Kong's unique character. Since its inception in 1979, HKB has evolved into a vibrant performing arts organisation with a dynamic repertoire, forward-thinking community engagement initiatives and an emphasis on excellence.
Comprised of 50 dancers from all over the globe – Hong Kong, Mainland China and other parts of Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America, HKB has won recognition both regionally and internationally. With celebrated re-stagings of the classics, neoclassical masterworks by George Balanchine and others and original ballets created for HKB and about Hong Kong. Additionally, HKB performs works by some of today’s most sought-after choreographers, including Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, Wayne McGregor, Justin Peck, Jiří Kylian, Nacho Duato and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa as well as innovative new works by its Choreographer-in-Residence, Hu Song-wei Ricky, and numerous emerging Hong Kong choreographers.
With almost 50 tours to 11 countries, HKB has recently toured throughout Europe, the US and Asia and places a special emphasis on representing Hong Kong in Mainland China and the West. HKB maintains the newly renamed Hong Kong Academy of Ballet, a professionally-oriented ballet school, as well as a full schedule of award-winning community programmes and crossover collaborations throughout Hong Kong to ensure ballet is accessible to all. HKB has also produced engaging original videos and dance films that have collectively garnered over 10 million views online, connecting with ballet lovers worldwide.
