FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UOB 90th Anniversary Proudly Presents Shape of Grace Gala
[Hong Kong — 16 October 2025] On 15 October, UOB 90th Anniversary Proudly Presents Shape of Grace Gala at Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s Grand Theatre featured acclaimed international guest artists and Hong Kong Ballet’s fabulous dancers showcasing ballet’s beauty and charisma in breathtaking works!
This one-night-only programme saw La Scala Ballet Principal Dancer Timofej Andrijasenko, Mariinsky Ballet First Soloist Maria Khoreva, Bavarian State Ballet Principal Dancer Julian MacKay, La Scala Ballet Principal Dancer Étoile Nicoletta Manni, The Royal Ballet Principal Dancer Natalia Osipova, international guest artist Patricio Revé and Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater Principal Dancer Chang Hongji take the stage to thunderous applause.
Guests were delighted by a tribute to the legendary Hong Kong icon and pop star Leslie Cheung with a medley of his most popular songs against a bold backdrop of colourful contemporary ink paintings by Chinese artists along with special excerpts from Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, Balanchine's Diamonds, Carmina Burana, Coco Chanel: the Life of a Fashion Icon, ALICE (in wonderland) and more. UOB has generously supported four of these inspiring productions over the years, allowing audience members to experience the timeless magic of dance together.
On opening night, HKB proudly hosted UOB management, including Greater China Vice Chairman Mrs Christine Ip, Head of Strategic Communications, Brand and Customer Insights, Hong Kong and Taiwan Ms Marietta Li along with HKB Vice-chairman Ms Linda Fung and Mrs Mira Yeh, HKB Board of Governors Ms Lindzay Chan, Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng, Ms Maya Lin, Mrs Cherry Tse Ling Kit-ching, GBS, JP, Mrs Janice Chan-Choy, Mrs Daphne King Yao, Mrs Liana Yung Yeung, The Hong Kong Ballet Guild Co-chair Mrs Emelda Wong Trainor, and Ms Eve Tam, Deputy Director (Culture) in the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
On 14 October, we were honoured to host an exclusive Meet & Greet with world-renowned ballet stars at Regent Hong Kong’s Qura Bar last night. This intimate gathering brought together international guest artists from UOB 90th Anniversary Proudly Presents Shape of Grace Gala, along with HKB Artistic Director Septime Webre and Executive Director Heidi Lee. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, especially our Premium Access guests, for this memorable evening filled with inspiring conversations and shared passion for ballet.
UOB 90th Anniversary Proudly Presents Shape of Grace Gala
15 OCT 2025 (Wed) 7:30pm
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
For further information, please contact:
Jerry Qiu | Communications & Programme Manager | T: 2105 9753 / 6879 6734 | [email protected]
Ruth Chung | Marketing and PR Manager | T: 2105 9716 / 9741 7319 | [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 its Artistic Director Septime Webre and some of today’s most soughtafter 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-inResidence, Hu Song Wei Ricky, and numerous emerging Hong Kong choreographers.
HKB stands out as a dynamic Hong Kong cultural ambassador, sharing its unique repertoire and style with audiences in Europe, North America, Mainland China and Asia. With over 50 international tours since its founding, this year HKB will have performed or presented immersive works in Macau, Venice, New York, London, Seoul and Shanghai. 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.
