RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS
Theatre. The ballet proved a tremendous success at the International Children's Arts Festival 1994. The Hong Kong première of Les Patineurs in April also drew good reviews.
The company continued its tradition of nurturing local talent by organising an annual choreographic workshop to provide local choreographers and dancers with backup to try out new ideas and new works that may become part of its future repertory. In 1994, 10 choreographers participated in the workshop, four from outside the company. On the educational front, the company joined hands with the Regional Council in the six-month long Making Dances project to help students learn to appreciate freedom of expression and dance movements, to lay the foundation for them to create their own works.
Exploration Theatre
Established in 1982, the Exploration Theatre continued to promote local original works during the past year. It staged five major productions, with a total of 30 performances; four of these were original plays — Oedipus Vs Electra, Bed Down, Behind the Trophies and The Lady in Pink. On the educational and community front, the company took its original works Green Life - Hope of Deliverance and The Ludicrous Players, together with other items from its repertoire, to schools, community halls and other public venues in about 100 free performances. The company also organised workshops and drama camps for young people
and schools.
Hong Kong Sinfonietta
The Hong Kong Sinfonietta, which was established in 1990, has developed into a fully- fledged symphony orchestra with 55 core members. The majority of members are graduates of local music schools.
Its repertoire ranges from classical works to contemporary and local compositions. It has presented over 30 compositions by local composers, over half of which were premiere performances. Local instrumental soloists and conductors have been introduced to the Hong Kong audience through the highly successful Outstanding Young Local Talent series. It has also been active in accompanying both local and visiting artists.
In 1994, the Sinfonietta presented six concert series and 11 educational performances, and participated in 18 accompaniment projects, the highlights of which included Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 ‘Choral'.
Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
The academy, established in 1984, is the only tertiary institution in Hong Kong providing professional education, training and research facilities for the performing and related technical arts, with emphasis on both Western and Chinese traditions. The academy comprises four schools of dance, drama, music and technical arts, the latter specialising in theatre and in television and film production.
The academy building, completed in Wanchai in 1985, houses some of Asia's finest performing venues and training facilities, including three theatres and two concert and recital halls.
The academy offers a two-year diploma programme as foundation training in each major discipline. Completion of the diploma qualifies a student to pursue either a two-year
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