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RECREATION AND THE ARTS
major institutions overseas to provide local experience and to develop working relationships internationally.
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
In April, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra went on its first major overseas tour - to Singapore, Bangkok, and to the Osaka International Music Festival – and received the highest critical acclaim for its performances. In addition to regular concerts at the City Hall Concert Hall, the Academic Community Hall, the Tsuen Wan Town Hall and the Queen Elizabeth Stadium, the orchestra gave its first series of popular music concerts at the Hong Kong Coliseum. It also accompanied the Royal Ballet from the United Kingdom in performances of Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet presented by the Urban Council. The orchestra continued to attract an increasing number of major international guest artistes for its subscription concerts.
Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
Since its formation by the Urban Council in 1977, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra has contributed extensively to promoting Chinese music in Hong Kong. It combines Western orchestrations with the music and the instruments of the East and, to encourage various styles of musical interpretations, local and overseas guest conductors are invited to appear with the orchestra. During the year, the orchestra gave 40 concerts - mainly at the City Hall -- attended by 38 500 people. It also performed to 15 840 young people at school and student concerts. Another highlight was its performance in February at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's fashion presentation in Tokyo.
Hong Kong Repertory Theatre
The Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, a professional Urban Council company, continued to gain popularity with its Cantonese productions and played to capacity audiences at the City Hall Theatre. While its 94 performances attracted 47 900 people during the year, the company also toured schools and community centres and took part in district festivals. The theatre employs 22 full-time actors and six technical staff, plus freelance artistes and staff.
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Chung Ying Theatre Company
During 1983, the government-subsidised Chung Ying Theatre Company continued to develop an audience throughout the territory, especially by bringing theatre to school children. As part of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, Chung Ying produced the winning play from a competition for original theatre scripts for children. Tours to schools were mounted during the spring and autumn terms, and in May and June the company toured the New Territories. The year ended with a repeat of the company's 1982 success The Miracle Plays which included a series of performances at St John's Cathedral.
Hong Kong Dance Company
Formed by the Urban Council in 1981, the Hong Kong Dance Company aims to promote traditional Chinese dance and to present newly choreographed works on historical Chinese themes and contemporary Hong Kong subjects. The company, which combines full and part-time dancers and staff, gave 39 performances attended by 33 100 people during the year; participated in the Festival of Asian Arts; and toured Japan in October in a cultural exchange.
Hong Kong Academy of Ballet
Now in its fifth year, the Hong Kong Academy of Ballet is made up of a vocational ballet school and a professional classical ballet company. Following the school's first graduation