ENG-1986 — Page 312

RECREATION AND THE ARTS

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Classes and workshops on dance, theatre, crafts and ceramics, Western and Chinese painting, fashion design and children's art were conducted. The number of participants exceeded 5 000.

Cultural Presentations

During 1986, the Urban Council presented 302 performances by local and overseas groups and artists, apart from those given by its professional performing companies and staged at the Festival of Asian Arts and the International Theatrical Carnival.

The performances, which drew 260 945 people, included instrumental, vocal and orchestral concerts, drama, ballet, folk and modern dances, Chinese and Western operas, mime, films and others. Some performances were presented in conjunction with other cultural organisations, such as the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society, the British Council, the Goethe Institute and the Alliance Francaise.

Highlights of the year included performances by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the St Louis Symphony Orchestra, the violin recital by Salvatore Accardo, the piano recital by Pascal Roge, the Vienna Boys Choir, the Alvin Ailey Modern Dance Theatre, the Manhattan Ballet, London Shakespeare Group, Cantonese opera performances by the Chor Fung Ming Opera Troupe, and the opera production Maria Stuarda.

Work will continue in presenting the performing arts to the public and providing more performing opportunities for local artists and groups.

The Regional Council also presented a variety of cultural programmes, making a wide range of the arts more accessible to the public. The council played an important role in the district arts festivals by contributing quality programmes and providing professional expertise. It took part in the Tsuen Kwai Arts Festival 1986 and the Tai Po, Sha Tin and Kwai Ching festivals.

A total of 260 cultural presentations was organised by the Regional Council, attracting an attendance of 107 000. These presentations included performances by world renowned overseas artists and groups such as the flamenco guitarist Paco Pena, pianist Yin Chengzong, pipa virtuoso Liu Dehai, the Bach Collegium Munchen from West Germany, the puppet group Theatre Sans Fil from Canada, the American Ballet Comedy, the legendary Kodo from Japan, the Vienna Boys Choir, and the Zhejiang Xiao Bai Hua Shanghai Opera Troupe.

As an encouragement, the Regional Council offered half price on tickets for students and elderly people.

Computerised Ticketing

The Urban Council operates a computerised ticketing system which has sold over 2.8 million tickets since its start in 1984. The system provides a comprehensive range of postal, telephone and counter booking services for the Urban Council's cultural, entertain- ment and sports events and for events organised by 101 hirers of Urban Council facilities, and in commercial venues. Eight sales outlets are available in Urban Council venues as well as in commercial premises. Two more sales outlets have also been set up in the Regional Council's venues.

Hong Kong Repertory Theatre

Founded by the Urban Council in 1977, the 24-member Hong Kong Repertory Theatre continued to gain strong support from local audiences. Under the new Artistic Director, Dr Joanna Chan, the company offered a seasonal repertoire of translated Western dramas,