ENG-1981 — Page 284

RECREATION AND THE ARTS

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The orchestra, with 61 full-time and 14 part-time musicians, gave 56 performances in 1981, including 16 at schools.

Hong Kong Repertory Theatre

The Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, which was transformed into a professional company with the Urban Council's sponsorship in 1977, staged one musical and six Chinese and Western plays in the year. Some 104 performances in Cantonese were given, of which 16 were staged at schools and playgrounds. The company employs 15 full-time actors and a number of freelance artists and production staff.

Hong Kong Dance Company

The Hong Kong Dance Company, was set up by the Urban Council in May under its direct finance and management.

The company aims to promote the art of traditional Chinese dance and to present newly choreographed work on Chinese historical themes.

The dance company has two dance masters, 26 full-time dancers and a number of production staff.

The Hong Kong Academy of Ballet

The Hong Kong Academy of Ballet which consists of Hong Kong's first professional ballet company and vocational ballet school, has continued to develop its activities. By Septem- ber the number of students in the school had reached 29 and the first two graduates from the school joined the company in August 1981.

During the year, the company's 17 dancers gave more than 100 performances, half of which were in schools and some 75 per cent in the New Territories. The Schools Demonstration Programme was an important part of the company's work and Peter and the Wolf proved extremely popular with all age groups. The company also featured in the Third Tsuen Wan Arts Festival, the Yuen Long Arts Festival, and the Festival of Asian Arts, as well as presenting its twice-yearly seasons at the City Hall and regular perform- ances in other venues. Several new ballets were added to the repertoire, including Walter Gore's Eaters of Darkness, Dance Pictures and Street Games, and Auguste Bournonville's Napoli and La Ventana.

Apart from a $2 million grant from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club in 1978 to set up an investment fund, the academy has relied entirely on private donations from various individuals and companies for its work until September 1981 when it received a further grant from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club to enable it to continue its expansion programme.

Music Office

More than 2 454 students are now receiving weekly instrumental training under the auspices of the Music Office. The office was established in 1977 to provide instrumental music training for young people, to promote and stimulate interest in music, and to encourage and assist in organising music activities in all districts. During 1981, the scope of its activities was further expanded, and 524 classes were conducted each week at the office's four Music Centres, various schools and community centres. To give more opportunities for young people to receive musical training, three more music centres, in the Eastern District of Hong Kong Island, Yau Ma Tei and Yuen Long, are planned for early 1982.