RECREATION AND THE ARTS
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the batons of its principal conductor James Loughran, and guest conductor Maurice Handford, the Halle presented 10 principally concerts, featuring the works of Edward Elgar. Soloists included pianist John Lill and the young English violinist Nigel Kennedy.
Another important part of the orchestral programme was the six performances by the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. It performed a varied range of music, including works by Blomdahl and Rosenberg, and presented solo performances by soprano Janis Martin and pianist Michel Béroff.
Throughout the festival, lunchtime crowds were treated to jazz concerts, aspiring actors took part in theatrical workshops and there were public performances of Chinese puppetry. The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hong Kong Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra were also featured in the festival. Local theatre productions included Camelot and The East is East.
Contrasting with the classics were the performances by the Midnite Follies Orchestra which brought together American crooner Johnny M and jazz singer Sarah Nagourney to present an entertaining performance of big band sounds. The jazz of Australians, Don Burrows and George Golla, also presented the festival with a unique programme spanning Bach-inspired improvisations to modern rock and reggae.
The centrepiece of the theatrical programme was the Old Vic Company's presentation of Pinero's comedy, Trelawney of the Wells, directed by Timothy West and its acclaimed production of The Merchant of Venice.
Also included in the programme were other internationally acclaimed artistes, including dancer-choreographer Louis Falco's dance company, humourist-poet Pam Ayres, mime artiste Bob Berky, and the Music Group of London.
Tsuen Wan Arts Festival
The month-long Third Tsuen Wan Arts Festival, organised by the Tsuen Wan District Advisory Board, the Tsuen Wan Culture and Recreation Co-ordinating Association and the Music Office, was held early in the year. Forty-five indoor performances were given at the town hall, as well as 20 outdoor programmes, five exhibitions and eight lectures. Featured on the programme were the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, the Hong Kong Academy Ballet Company, the Hong Kong Children's Choir, the Chor Fung Ming Cantonese Opera and overseas groups such as the Halle Orchestra, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Music Group of London. An 80 per cent attendance was recorded for the performances, while there were 95 600 visitors to the exhibitions.
Film Festival
More than 63 000 people saw the 189 films from 33 countries screened during the Fifth Hong Kong International Film Festival in April. A further 30 000 people visited a festival exhibition of posters and photographs. A non-competitive event presented by the Urban Council, the festival has been accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers' Associations in Paris, and has been established as a major cultural highlight in Hong Kong.
Public Records Office
The Public Records Office, established in 1972, is the central repository for the permanent archives of the Hong Kong Government.
The headquarters - its main repository, with more than 5 500 metres of shelving for historical data - is in Murray Road, Central District.