Hong Kong Ballet Spreads Christmas Joy with

The Nutcracker

The world’s favourite festive ballet
Proudly presented by FANCL

[Hong Kong – 7 Nov 2016] This Christmas, celebrate with your loved ones at Hong Kong Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, one of the world’s most beloved ballets, with FANCL as its Title Sponsor.

Join Clara and Fritz as they get swept up in a fantastic Christmas Eve journey in an astonishing world of wonder filled with a mischievous army of rats and their arch-rivals, the toy soldiers, and a host of colorful, magical characters, graceful snowflakes and playful dolls, as well as a super-sized doll house and a glittering Christmas tree. But the final question remains: can they help the heroic Nutcracker to defeat the villainous Rat King and reunite with his beautiful Ballerina?

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.

Artistic Director Madeleine Onne added, “I never get tired of The Nutcracker! It’s wonderful to see all the children excited for perhaps their first ballet experience or the annual Nutcracker tradition with their family. This year over 270 children auditioned for roles in the production, and you will see 60 of them on stage in two different casts in addition to three casts of Clärchen. It’s exhilarating to meet the young talent that Hong Kong has to offer, and I look forward to this year's 13 shows and seeing both familiar and new faces in the audience!”

The production will run from 16-18 & 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. Tickets are available at URBTIX now. Come along and enjoy the Christmas magic.

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 the Junior Company presented his new work Streichquintett.

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.

Participant must 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!
The Preview of The Nutcracker
How did The Nutcracker story evolve from its initial concept to the final production? Begin your evening inside the intimate Studio Theatre with a very special and personal introduction to The Nutcracker, and learn more about its compelling background and the intriguing process behind choreographer Terence Kohler’s vision when he created this family-friendly ballet. Participants will enjoy an up-close viewing of the whimsical costumes and then experience exclusive excerpts from the production by Hong Kong Ballet dancers!

Date: 6.12.2016(Tue)
Time: 7:30pm– 8:45pm
Venue: GR3, 8/F, Grand Theatre Backstage, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Free admission
Conducted in English
Suitable for ages 6 and above
Limited capacity, advance registration required

Registration Details:
hkballet.com/preview

Pre-performance Workshop
Come along and enjoy a fun, interactive and educational workshop! Through crafts, acting, dancing, story-telling, costume display and more, this tailor-made workshop for children aged 4-8 years will introduce students to the characters, the story, and the making of this festive family ballet. Children will be engaged in hands-on activities and will leave with an understanding of, and appreciation for, The Nutcracker leading to a more enjoyable theatre experience. No previous dance experience is necessary.

Date: 17.12.2016 (Sat)                 
Time: 11:00am – 12:00nn   
Venue: GR3, 8/F, Grand Theatre Backstage, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Fee: $80 each*
Quota: 40

*10% discount for Friends of The Hong Kong Ballet
Conducted in Cantonese and English 
Only for The Nutcracker ticket holders or Friends of Hong Kong Ballet
Advance registration required 

Registration Details:
hkballet.com/workshop

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

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

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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

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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]