FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hong Kong Ballet’s Timeless Classic
Henderson Land Proudly Presents The Nutcracker
Returns to Celebrate the Festive Season
[Hong Kong — 4 November 2024] The ultimate holiday tradition returns with Hong Kong Ballet (HKB)'s award-winning classic The Nutcracker, proudly presented by Henderson Land, filled with opulent sets and costumes and beloved Hong Kong elements that enchant audiences year after year. The Nutcracker opens on 13 December with 22 performances through 29 December at Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s Grand Theatre, and audiences will enjoy Tchaikovsky’s world-famous score performed live by Hong Kong Sinfonietta under the baton of Yip Wing-sie and Vivian Ip for selected performances.
Tickets are available now at URBTIX, and this year there is a Special Family Package: buy 1 student ticket and get 20% off 2 standard tickets, or buy 1 senior ticket and get 20% off 1-4 standard tickets.
Notable accolades
This year, HKB won the Spirit of Culture Award at the 12th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, organised by the South China Morning Post and Sino Group, which shines a light on Hong Kong’s unsung heroes. The judges said, ‘Hong Kong Ballet has reimagined The Nutcracker to reflect the city's unique identity, blending early 20th-century Hong Kong with fantasy...as they continue to unite the community through dance.’ This inspiring production also received the prestigious Star of Outstanding Award at UNESCO’s 2024 Global Awards for World Heritage Education Innovative Cases and won Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Set and Costume Design at the Hong Kong Dance Awards 2022.
An animated Tutu Academy x The Nutcracker scene
This year, local artist Don Mak creatively designed an illustration inspired by HKB 45th Anniversary short film ‘Tutu Academy’ and The Nutcracker, which incorporates Kam Tong Hall, the Cheung Chau Bun Festival and traditional Hong Kong floral plaque craftsmanship, When the curious alien from ‘Tutu Academy’ meets Clara and friends, he learns how to communicate through dance and discovers that they surprisingly have a lot in common. A hovering UFO and colourful bun towers add playful touches from both productions, and everyone is invited to join in the festive celebration.
A Hong Kong adventure with full houses
From 2021 to 2023, The Nutcracker had over 55 sold-out shows and captivated over 75,000 audience members of locals and tourists. The much-anticipated annual extravaganza begins at a lively Christmas Eve party in a gilded mansion where young Clara receives a special Nutcracker as a gift. Clara and the Nutcracker Prince embark on a magical journey through a snowy bamboo forest, battle the villainous Rat King and encounter a host of whimsical characters, including blossoming bauhinias, playful peacocks and dancing dim sum. From snowflakes to sword fights to the fantastical Christmas tree that reaches the sky, The Nutcracker abounds in spectacle and wonder while celebrating our city’s rich cultural tapestry and bringing out the child in everyone!
240 costumes inspired by local culture
Hong Kong’s rich culture is joyfully celebrated in the vibrant characters, riveting choreography and innovative stage designs. Artistic Director Septime Webre and his creative team incorporate local history and customs by showcasing a lion dance, rickshaws, a bun festival, shadow puppets, folktale characters the White Snake and the Academic and more. The larger-than-life sets feature an opulent mansion reminiscent of Kom Tong Hall, the iconic Clock Tower and a snowy bamboo forest straight out of a classic Chinese film. Drawing inspiration from local vintage fashion and Hong Kong’s unique animals and flowers, acclaimed designers Gabriela Tylesova, Au Yu Kong and Joanne Chong meticulously created over 240 intricately detailed costumes.
Beyond entertainment, this inspiring production carries the essence of Hong Kong’s collective history and culture and serves as a platform to introduce the city's cultural identity to tourists and foster a stronger connection with the community. Over 258 children from local ballet schools have performed in The Nutcracker, with an average of 86 children per show, playing whimsical characters like baby animals and Dim Sum Clowns. Meaningfully incorporating local elements, The Nutcracker has become a Hong Kong classic and garnered both positive audience reviews and wide critical acclaim.
Download High Resolution Photos & Trailer
Henderson Land Proudly Presents The Nutcracker
13-29 DEC 2024
With Live Accompaniment
13-14 (Fri-Sat), 20 (Fri), 22 (Sun), 24-25 (Tue-Wed)*,
17-19 (Tue-Thu), 21 (Sat), 26 (Thu)^.12.2024 7:30pm
14 (Sat)*, 21 (Sat)^, 22 (Sun)* 25 (Wed)*,
26 (Thu)^ .12.2024 2:30pm
15.12.2024 (Sun) 3:00pm & 8:00pm*
With Recorded Music
27.12.2024 (Fri) 7:30pm^
28.12.2024 (Sat) 2:30pm & 7:30pm^
29.12.2024 (Sun) 2:00pm^
*$1,200 (Limited VIP Tickets) $720, $490, $340, $220
^$1,000 (Limited VIP Tickets) $680, $480, $300, $180
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Tickets are now available at URBTIX
Half price for local full-time students and senior citizens (except $1,200 and 1,000 tickets)
Ages 3 and above
The performance lasts approximately 1 hr 45 mins including 1 intermission
Creative Team
Choreography: Septime Webre
Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Set & Costume Design: Gabriela Tylesova
Associate Set & Costume Designer: Au Yu Kong
Associate Costume Designer: Joanne Chong
Lighting Design: Billy Chan
Dramaturge: Yan Pat To
Shadow Puppet Video Design: Lo Wing
Live Accompaniment: Hong Kong Sinfonietta
Conductors:
Yip Wing-sie (13-14,17-20,21,22 7:30pm; 15 8pm)
Vivian Ip (14,21,22,25,26 2:30pm; 15 3pm; 24-26 7:30pm)
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 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.
