Hong Kong Ballet’s The Nutcracker TV Broadcast
is a Christmas Gift for All
[Hong Kong—24 December 2020] There’s now a Christmas gift for everyone! Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) is proud to announce a free TV broadcast of its beloved annual holiday classic The Nutcracker, available on TVB Jade on 26 December 2020 from 11:00am to 12:30pm, as well as video-on-demand on OTT platforms, online and mobile applications of each of myTV SUPER & TVB Anywhere from 25 December 2020 to 23 January 2021. To bring festive joy to as many families as possible during these challenging times, HKB’s recorded performance of its long-anticipated Christmas production will ensure that audiences stay connected to their holiday traditions with HKB.
The world’s most popular holiday ballet, The Nutcracker is a perfect introduction to the power and beauty of classical ballet. Everyone safe at home will have the best seats in the house as they enjoy close-up views of HKB dancers showcasing the beautiful dance numbers to Tchaikovsky’s iconic music and Terence Kohler’s delightful choreography. Kohler’s original production was created especially for HKB, and audiences of all ages will delight in Clara and Fritz’s journey as they valiantly battle the villainous Rat King and help the heroic Nutcracker reunite with his Ballerina love at the top of the larger-than-life Christmas tree in a breathtaking final pas de deux.
Artistic Director Septime Webre said, ‘We are thrilled to be partnering with TVB to bring this special Christmas gift to Hong Kong audiences. The Nutcracker is an enchanting ballet, with an amazing story, spectacular dancing, and a powerful message which reminds us of the importance of resilience when facing diversity, and also of the joy and magic the world has to offer during the holiday season. We all could use a little magic and joy in our lives this year, and we are excited to share this special gift with Hong Kong.’
Executive Director Heidi Lee added, ‘This is not a normal year, and even though theatres are temporarily closed, I believe the power of the arts can still connect us all this holiday season. I hope that broadcasting this family-friendly production will help more people appreciate ballet and the performing arts.’
‘We can’t host you in-person this year, but we can still keep The Nutcracker holiday magic alive. All the dancers are grateful to still be able to do what we love, thanks to our fans’ support!’ said HKB Soloist Yang Ruiqi, who plays the role of Clara in the production.
Despite the cancellation of its live December performances due to venue closures, HKB will continue its mission by sharing The Nutcracker on TV and regularly uploading engaging new content on HKBALLET@HOME, its online channel that launched in March 2020 and has already accumulated over one million views so far. Dedicated to cultivating interest in ballet locally, HKB will also present an array of inspiring programmes both on and off stage every season to reach the community at large.
The Nutcracker TV broadcast is a special, intimate experience that you’ll definitely want to be a part of, so join us for this unforgettable, magical adventure!
Creative Team
Choreography Terence Kohler
Music Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Dramaturge Clair Sauran
Set & Costume Design Jordi Roig
Original Lighting Design David Bofarull
Lighting Consultant Billy Chan
Set Painters Jordi Castells & Quique Conde
Children’s Ballet Mistress Mei Tsang
Live Accompaniment Hong Kong Sinfonietta
Conductor Fayçal Karoui
Cast List
Ballerina Ye Feifei
Nutcracker Li Jiabo
Rat King Forrest Rain Oliveros
Clara Yang Ruiqi
Fritz Shen Jie
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Download High Resolution Images
Photo 1: The Nutcracker promotional image | Dancers (from left): Dong Ruixue, Shen Jie | Photography: SWKit | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet
Photo 2: The Nutcracker | Dancers (from left): Ye Feifei, Li Jiabo | Photography: Conrad Dy-Liacco | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet
Photo 3: The Nutcracker | Dancers (from left): Yang Ruiqi, Shen Jie | Photography: Conrad Dy-Liacco | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet
Photo 4: The Nutcracker | Dancers (from left): Luis Cabrera, Nana Sakai | Photography: Conrad Dy-Liacco | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet
Photo 5: The Nutcracker | Dancers (from left): Garry Corpuz, Chen Zhiyao | Photography: Conrad Dy-Liacco | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet
Photo 6: The Nutcracker | Hong Kong Ballet Dancers | Photography: Conrad Dy-Liacco | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet
Photo 7: The Nutcracker | Hong Kong Ballet Dancers | Photography: Conrad Dy-Liacco | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet
About Hong Kong Ballet
One of Asia’s premier ballet companies, Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) is internationally recognised as a vibrant arts institution that represents Hong Kong’s unique character. Established in 1979 and led by Artistic Director Septime Webre, HKB has a dynamic repertoire performed by nearly 50 dancers from all over the globe and award-winning education and community programmes.
With almost 50 international tours, HKB has won recognition from critics and fans both at home and abroad. Its diverse repertoire includes classic and modern masterpieces, original full-length ballets created for HKB, an interactive ballet series for younger fans and groundbreaking dance by today’s most sought-after choreographers, including Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, Jiří Kylian, Nacho Duato and Trey McIntyre, among others.
HKB maintains an active schedule of community initiatives throughout Hong Kong to ensure that ballet is accessible to people from all walks of life.
For further information, please contact:
Nick Chan
Director of Marketing
T: (852) 2105 9716
M: (852) 9728 1777
[email protected]
Nichol Chau
Senior Marketing Officer
T: (852) 2105 9753
M: (852) 5632 1755
[email protected]
