FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hong Kong Ballet’s The Wizard of Oz Asian Premiere
and Special Activities Launch a Milestone 2024/25 Season 

Featuring immersive Arts Tech performances, interactive exhibitions at AIRSIDE
and Hong Kong Cultural Centre, and an afternoon tea set at Regent Hong Kong

[Hong Kong — 13 Aug 2024] Hong Kong Ballet (HKB)’s dynamic 2024/25 Season and 45th anniversary celebration joyfully begins with the Asian premiere of Septime Webre's The Wizard of Oz during 30 August - 1 September at Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s Grand Theatre. Cutting-edge hologram and facial motion capture technology is used to fully immerse audiences in a fantastical world. After an intense, whirling tornado, everyone is transported to the yellow brick road alongside Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion as they seek the Wizard of Oz and triumph over the Wicked Witch. Tickets are available now at URBTIX.

Infused with modern charm and vibrant energy, The Wizard of Oz features punk rock and 70s funk-inspired characters who add depth and intrigue to the narrative, the dynamic Yellow Brick Roadies with a hint of K-pop flair and a discothèque Emerald City. Webre's innovations breathe new life into familiar elements like the vengeful Wicked Witch, and notable scenes include an exotic poppy field dance and a captivating portrayal of the Winged Monkeys that blend male dancers and puppets. 

Nominated for several Benois de la Danse awards (Best Ballet, Best Set/Costume Design, Best New Score), and with a 5-star review on Bachtrack, this boldly inventive production brings the landmark Hollywood movie based on L. Frank Baum’s heartwarming tale of family and friendship to life with incredible special effects and an inspiring dream team of celebrated costume designers. With Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra performing Matthew Pierce’s exhilarating original music live, this family-friendly show has brains, courage and a whole lot of heart!

Arts Tech Exhibitions at AIRSIDE and Hong Kong Cultural Centre
At the interactive AIRSIDE mall exhibition 'Oz Life Journey' from now until 4 September, HKB dancers transform into avatars that do ballet mime and poses, and a kinetic interactive programme activates neon light installations with different lighting effects and patterns initiated by a person's movements. MR and VR technology seamlessly combine the real and virtual worlds and allows participants to interact with physical and digital objects simultaneously. At Hong Kong Cultural Centre, visit the 'An Arts Tech Emerald City' exhibition during 16 August to 1 September. This hi-tech experience for all ages lets participants travel through an epic twister, use special glasses to uncover Emerald City's secrets, make an AR video and face challenges and triumphs together.

Regent Hong Kong’s The Wizard of Oz-inspired afternoon tea 
Step into the magical world of Oz in The Lobby Lounge at Regent Hong Kong, where a captivating The Wizard of Oz-inspired afternoon tea set awaits your discovery from 12 August to 13 October. The afternoon tea set features a symphony of sweet and savoury delights, each meticulously crafted to represent the beloved characters and moments from the classic tale.  Reservations for the afternoon tea set can be made via the online booking platform.

The Wizard of Oz  Synopsis
When an intense Kansas tornado unexpectedly sweeps young Dorothy and her little dog Toto to the magical Land of Oz, she finds herself wearing a pair of sparkling ruby slippers and meets Glinda the Good Witch and the Munchkins. They tell her to follow the yellow brick road to Emerald City, where the Wizard of Oz can help her get back home. Along the journey, she meets the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion, who each lack something they wish to ask the wizard for themselves. Unfortunately, the Wicked Witch of the West and her army of Winged Monkeys try to steal the ruby slippers and stop the group from reaching their destination by luring them to a field of poisonous poppies. Amidst the triumphs and challenges, the new friends learn what truly matters in life in this heartwarming adventure filled with brains, courage and a whole lot of heart!

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The Wizard of Oz
30 Aug 2024 (Fri) 7:30pm
31 Aug & 1 Sept 2024 (Sat & Sun) 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Tickets are now available at URBTIX
$1,000 (limited VIP tickets), $680, $480, $320, $180
Half price for local full-time students and senior citizens (except $1000 tickets)
Ages 3 and above

Creative Team
Choreography: Septime Webre
Music: Matthew Pierce
Scenic Design: Michael Raiford
Costume Design: Liz Vandal
Lighting Design: Trad A. Burns
Projection Design: Aaron Rhyne
Puppetry Design: Nicholas Mahon
Repetiteurs: Kristi Capps, Erina Noda
Live Orchestra: Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Julian Pellicano

Storylines and visual elements from the MGM Motion Picture The Wizard of Oz are provided by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures.
The Wizard of Oz was commissioned and created in partnership among Kansas City Ballet, Colorado Ballet, and Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
This project is funded under the Arts Technology Funding Pilot Scheme by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

For interviews and further information, please contact:

Hong Kong Ballet
Jerry Qiu | Communications & Programme Manager | T: 21059753 / 68796734 | [email protected]
Ruth Chung | Assistant Marketing and PR Manager | 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.