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URBTIX computerised ticketing system
URBTIX has become the most popular ticketing system through which the public may purchase tickets at any of the 32 outlets as well as through its telephone booking and Internet ticketing services. In 2004, some 4.1 million tickets for over 7 000 performances were sold, with a total sales value of $621 million.
The LCSD is proceeding to outsource the back-end ticketing system, i.e. hardware and software, to the private sector for development of an advanced ticketing system targeted to be completed in 2006. The department will maintain the operation of ticket outlets and services for venue hirers.
Cultural Presentations
LCSD Cultural Presentations
During the year, the LCSD presented 1 959 performances, covering a rich variety of performing arts programmes and featuring local and visiting artists. These attracted an audience of 710 662 people.
Musical highlights by visiting artists included the Budapest Festival Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, concerts and two opera productions. Thematic programmes included the Encore Series, the Music Rendezvous City Hall Concert Hall Series, Choral Series, the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre Recital Series, the Ancient Vernacular Music Traditional Regional Music of China Series and the Jazz Up Series.
Highlights of contemporary dance programmes included the world famous Merce Cunningham Dance Company (USA), Eifman Ballet (Russia), the distinguished Cullberg Ballet (Sweden) and Inbal Pinto Dance Company (Israel). Ethnic dances included The Ukrainian Shumka Dance Company of Canada, flamenco dance, The Four Elements (Spain), and Chinese ethnic dance by Yunnan Province Song and Dance Theatre. All of them were well received.
On the multi-arts front, the projects included Michael Nyman Band (UK), multi- media percussion theatre of Lung Heung Wing and Chin Kwok Wai, and a Chinese poem reciting concert. Others included Wong Bik Wan's multi-media theatre and Canada's Dulcinea Langfelder & Co packaged under the Solo Soul Series. Different kinds of puppetry performances were featured including China Puppet Art Troupe, Hunan Shadow and Rod Puppet Art Troupe, Theatre Hikosen from Japan and Jim Gamble Puppet Troupe from USA. In addition, various family entertainment programmes such as The Spencers from USA and Shenyang Acrobatic Troupe were scheduled around Easter and Christmas.
A number of fascinating theatre works were presented in the year, among which were the Russian Hamlet directed by the world renowned Peter Stein, Othello performed by the outstanding UK theatre company Cheek by Jowl, and Inside the Skeleton of the Whale performed by Eugenio Barba's Odin Teatret from Denmark. In addition to visiting companies, collaboration with local theatre groups continued and many of the works presented or sponsored were new creations.
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