RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS
Hong Kong Repertory Theatre
The Hong Kong Repertory Theatre staged seven productions in 141 performances in 1998, attracting 45 591 people. Apart from its major productions, the company toured schools and community centres regularly, giving free performances, lecture- demonstrations and workshops. It gave 123 performances and workshops to 30 101 people in 1998. During the summer vacation, the company organised six theatre education day camps for 230 students.
Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra is Hong Kong's only professional Chinese music orchestra. In 1998, the 85-member orchestra celebrated its 21st professional season, with 27 regular concerts and two ensemble concerts attracting 29 672 people. It was also invited to perform in the Festival of Contrast in the Netherlands in November. The 'Friends of Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra' was established in March to enhance liaison and communication with its supporters.
Hong Kong Dance Company
The Hong Kong Dance Company is the only professional Chinese dance company in the SAR to present Chinese traditional and folk dances and original dance dramas on Chinese and Hong Kong themes. The company presented five productions in 1998, attracting 9 057 people to 19 performances. Apart from giving 143 free performances and workshops in schools and community art centres to 57 659 people, the company organised a two-week summer dance education day camp and two special demonstration sessions with the participation of 253 students.
Chung Ying Theatre Company
Chung Ying continued to focus on local new play development and theatre- in-education programmes. The launch of 'Play-Ground' aimed to provide fertile ground for the creation of new plays and the growth of aspiring theatre practitioners. The year's highlights included The Bureaucrats, The Professional and The First Emperor's Last Days.
City Contemporary Dance Company
In its mission to rally the best of Chinese talents to create dance for contemporary China, City Contemporary Dance Company produced four innovative dance programmes and kicked off its 20th anniversary in the Festival of Asian Arts '98. Apart from running its own modern dance school and reaching out to local schools and different communities, the company organised the annual Modern Dance Workshop Festival in China, and ran a modern dance curriculum in universities in Beijing as well as dance exchange programmes in Guangzhou.
Hong Kong Ballet
It was an eventful year for the Hong Kong Ballet. In January, it went on tour with the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan, to the United States and Canada promoting Hong Kong. The company also performed The Last Emperor at New York City Center in May. During the year, it put on 19 productions (61 performances) to favourable comment locally and abroad.
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