1986 — Page 194

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

(b) I understand that certain Urban Council cultural performances are presented jointly with non-Council performing companies. Is the attendance rate of these performances generally higher than those presented by the Council's own performing companies?

(c) Would it be possible to let the Urban Council's performing companies function independently from the Urban Council?

MR. LAWRENCE H. L. FUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):—This question is in three parts, covering respectively a comparison of the attendance rates for the Council's cultural presentations for the first 11 months of 1985/86 and 1986/87, a similar comparison between Council and non-Council performing companies, and the possibility of the Council's performing companies becoming independent.

For the first 11 months of 1986/87, the Council's cultural presentations with admission charges attracted 512,300 audience in 776 performances, representing 76 per cent of the total capacity. This compares with the total audience of 524,065 recorded for 757 performances in the first 11 months of 1985/86; or 72 per cent of capacity.

The second part of the question does not differentiate between professional and non-professional performing groups. To compare like with like, it would be fair to compare the Council's professional performing companies with outside professional groups only: namely, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Ballet, Chung Ying Theatre and City Contemporary Dance Company. For the first 11 months of 1986/87, the Council's sole and joint presentations with these professional companies attracted a total of 144,426 attendances or 79 per cent capacity. During the same period, the Council's Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Hong Kong Repertory Theatre and Hong Kong Dance Company drew a total audience of 125,022 or 86 per cent attendance rate to their performances with admission charges.

I wish to point out that figures by themselves are not very meaningful because such statistical data fail to focus on factors which affect attendance such as the size of venues, the programme appeal and audience support for individual performing companies. In any case, attendance is not and cannot be the sole criterion for assessing presentations or performing companies.

The question of the Council hiving off its performing companies has been mooted from time to time. So far, the Council has remained of the view that the time is not yet ripe for these companies to become independent and that it could raise other problems for the Council including perhaps an even greater financial demand on its funds.

However, the possibility of their becoming independent will be reviewed in the light of the long-term interests of these companies and Hong Kong's cultural development in general.

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MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, concerning the attendance rates of the cultural performing activities of 86/87 and 85/86, I would like to know whether the attendance is rising or falling?

MR. LAWRENCE H. L. FUNG (in English):—The attendance rate is on the rise.

MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, I do not know how the figures are derived at. From the prima facie evidence, there are an increasing trend but from the number of performance, one is 776 and the other one is 757, a difference of 21 performances. But it is said that the number of audiences are increasing even though there is a decrease of performances. So I think there is some sort of paradox in it. In theory, the decrease of performances should result in a reduction of audiences.

MR. LAWRENCE H. L. FUNG (in English):—Mr. Chairman, first of all, there is no way I can give Mr. CHAN twelve months result when we have only eleven months figures available. But as far as the percentage of attendance concerned, it is calculated the overall capacity divided by the attendance ratio. Whether we calculated a shorter period or longer period, the percentage should remain the same as far as the comparison purpose is concerned. But I am sure if Mr. CHAN ask the question a few months later, we can give him the twelve months figure for this current financial year as well.

MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, in the second part of the reply, our own performing companies drew a total audience of around 125,000 or 86 per cent whilst other performing companies outside attracted around 144,000 audience or 79 per cent. How do you come up with this percentage? As the number of the latter is more than the former, why the percentage is lower? Is it true that the attendance rates of our performing companies are higher than the attendance rates of other performing companies?

MR. LAWRENCE H. L. FUNG (in English):—I think the answer is definitely yes.

MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN (in Cantonese):—I know how to calculate but I have some difficulties in understanding. Mr. Chairman, I would like to go on to ask. Regarding the assessment of a performing company, of course we cannot use the attendance rate as the sole criterion. However if we do not use this as the sole criterion, then when we are appraising outside performing companies and see whether they are acceptable to the public what other criteria would we adopt if this is not the sole criterion?

MR. LAWRENCE H. L. FUNG (in English):—Mr. Chairman, Mr. CHAN has just enumerated all the factors that we weigh not just the attendance rate but the acceptance by the audience and the audience's assessment of the artistic merit of the various groups. How else can we judge culture and creativity, I don't know.