Hong Kong Ballet’s
North America Tour 2016
A Resounding Success
[Hong Kong – 13th Apr 2016] Hong Kong Ballet’s three week-long tour to four Canadian cities and New York City was met with enthusiastic applause, standing ovations and critical acclaim. From 1st to 20th March, the Company gave a total of 15 performances out of a repertoire of Cynthia Harvey’s The Sleeping Beauty as well as two mixed bill programmes including Li Jun’s Dancing with the Wind, Fei Bo’s Pas de Trois from A Room of Her Own, Nacho Duato’s Castrati, and Krzysztof Pastor’s In Light and Shadow, reaching a total of over 11,000 audience members. Led by Artistic Director, Madeleine Onne, the Company of 44 passionate dancers made its lauded debuts at The National Arts Centre in Ottawa, The Burlington Performing Arts Centre in Burlington, Flato Markham Theatre in Markham and Regina Rosen Auditorium in Kingston, all in Ontario, Canada before its first-ever performances at the famed Joyce Theater in New York City. Critics have praised this ensemble on its versatility, artistry and technical excellence. Please see Media Reviews below for more details.
Onne’s expressed, “It has been a tough but wonderful tour and a true adventure for all the dancers. It was an absolutely fantastic experience to see the audiences in Canada and New York City take the Hong Kong Ballet dancers to their hearts. The strong, warm and extended applause after every show and even some standing ovations gave the dancers extra energy to dance better than ever. They really were the best ambassadors one can imagine for Hong Kong and the feedback I have received regarding their performances both on and off stage makes me extremely proud. I am happy to see that the past seven years' work together with the Company has resulted in such an enthusiastic reception in a city like New York, where its audience really knows dance. I am confident that Hong Kong Ballet will continue to develop and be a company to really count on in the international ballet scene.”
Celebrating Hong Kong Ballet’s debut appearances, two post-performance receptions were held at The National Arts Centre on 4th March and The Joyce Theater on 15th March, sponsored respectively by the tour partners: the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Toronto, represented by its Director Ms Kathy Chan, as well as the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, represented by Director Mr Steve Barclay.
Media Reviews:
The New York Times:
“[Headline] Hong Kong Ballet, Polished and Ready for More”
“Company of lovely dancers”
“[In Light and Shadow] The stage brightens and is filled with the ensemble, as well as quick sections that highlight the qualities of individual dancers: the engaging wit of Jessica Burrows, the sunny appeal of Dong Ruixue and the extraordinary airiness of Xia Jun.”
TheBroadwayWorld.com:
“[Pas de Trois from A Room of Her Own (18th March)] The technique of both women was a superb blend of classical ballet and modernistic steps. Their sinewy arms rippled as Mr Jerkander would cast each one around in passion.
“[Pas de Trois from A Room of Her Own (20th March)] Yu-yao Liu was particularly striking with her remarkable extension and her dramatic ability. Liu, together with Miao-miao Liu as the pretty mistress, and Jia-bo Li as the strong husband, presented a mesmerizing short story ballet.”
“[Castrati (18th March)] I was truly blown away by the strength, bravura, exuberance, freedom and the dynamic abilities of these nine male dancers…I can attest that the men of the Hong Kong Ballet are as talented and disciplined in their performance as the greats from ABT long ago.”
“[Castrati (20th March)] The audience went wild with applause and vocal appreciation.”
“[In Light and Shadow] Jun Xia’s gorgeous arched feet and 180-degree extension were reminiscent of the famous Vladimir Malakhov. I believe I will continue to hear of his accomplishments, and that he will obtain the admiration of many balletomanes.”
“I honestly haven’t seen an entire company dance with such skill and heart in a long time. Artistic Director Madeleine Onne; Senior Ballet Master Jing Liang; Ballet Mistress Min Tang; and all those who have coached these dancers need to know that their efforts have come to fruition. Please continue to keep classical and neo-classical at this level of excellence.”
Eye On The Arts:
“A technical and beautiful force”
“[Pas de Trois from A Room of Her Own] Leg extensions gorgeously highlighted by the skirts underscore this soulful and sad work that compels the audience to view it with wonder.”
“By and large, the most memorable piece of the night is the turbulent Castrati…The presence of the full cast evokes a visceral viewing experience split by intrigue.”
“[In Light and Shadow] Ability and artistry cannot be contested as the dancers are clearly expert in their craft.”
“Hong Kong Ballet’s reputation is well earned and under the direction of Madeleine Onne continues to prove itself as an important staple in the world of ballet.”
Mark Kappel, Dance blogger:
“[Castrati] The ensemble cast of Jie Shen, Jun Xia, Wei Wei, Jia-bo Li, Lucas Jerkander, Shunsuke Arimizu, Chun Long Leung, Ricky Hu, and Lin Li brought great power to Duato’s choreographic images…From the efforts made by the Company’s Artistic Director, Madeleine Onne, and the excellent performances of the dancers, in this performance the Hong Kong Ballet proved itself to be a company of international standard.”
Bachtrack.com:
“[In Light and Shadow] The piece begins with the Aria from the Goldberg Variations, where Yao Jin, partnered by Wei Wei, was beautifully lyrical. She radiated a warm and soft presence.”
Apt613:
“The Sleeping Beauty was beautiful, graceful and exact. The dancers made this impossibly technical performance look effortless. While the ballerinas span quadruple pirouettes on point and the ballerinos did saubresaut’s two feet in the air.”
DOWNLOAD PRESS PHOTOS
[Click on the photo to download full image]
Photo 1: The Sleeping Beauty | Dancers: Jin Yao and Li Jia-bo | Photographer: Aleksandar Antonijevic
Photo 2: The Sleeping Beauty | Hong Kong Ballet Dancers | Photographer: Aleksandar Antonijevic
Photo 3: Castrati | Hong Kong Ballet Dancers | Photographer: Yi-Chun Wu
Photo 4: In light and Shadow | (Front) Xia Jun, (Back) Wei Wei and Gao Ge | Photographer: Yi-Chun Wu
Photo 5: (From left): Luo Zhaohui, Ambassador, Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of P.R. China to Canada; Madeleine Onne, Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet; Kathy Chan, Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto); Cathy Levy, Executive Producer, Dance, The National Arts Centre; Paul Tam, Executive Director of Hong Kong Ballet | Photographer: Denis Drever
Photo 6: Hong Kong Ballet Dancers with guests at the reception at The National Arts Centre | Photographer Denis Drever
Photo 7: Martin Wechsler, Director of Programming of The Joyce Theater; Madeleine Onne | Photographer: Yi-Chun Wu
Photo 8: (From left): Leung Chun Long, Coryphée of Hong Kong Ballet; Peggy Lai, Corps de Ballet member of Hong Kong Ballet; Steve Barclay, Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (New York); Vanessa Lai, Corps de Ballet member of Hong Kong Ballet; Kenneth Ka Chun Hui, Corps de Ballet member of Hong Kong Ballet | Photographer: Yi-Chun Wu
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Tour Partners: |
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Special Thanks:
Cathy & Gerry Wang
About Hong Kong Ballet
An eclectic mix of talent, a balance of classical and contemporary works, and a unique repertoire 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 experiences that 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: (852) 2105 9716
M: (852) 9728 1777
[email protected]
