3.
achieved.
Certainly the overseas publicity, particularly
in America and Japan, was good, and even some English
papers were pleased to print a few Hong Kong stories
about subjects other than the stock exchange, drugs
or crime. Certainly in the artists Hong Kong now
has some new ambassadors. Certainly a lot of people
in Hong Kong, albeit a tiny minority, enjoyed themselves
in a new way and took pride in their city being able to
attract such a galaxy of talent, and this sort of impact
was spread by the donation of many thousands of seats
to students. The tourist industry seems satisfied
that it has started something of real long-term value.
So the Festival closed with a sigh of self-congratulation
which I think was justified.
6.
The impressario was Mr. Ian Hunter. He
had done it all before in Edinburgh and Brighton and
Windsor and many other places. But the scale was
big by any standards. The theatres were small and
the cost inflated by transport charges was enormous.
He admitted it was the biggest gamble ever, but it came
off in the way that Hong Kong gambles so often do.
There was a loss, but less then had been expected and
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.