ENG-1987 — Page 336

RECREATION AND THE ARTS

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Disciples, Donkey Work and To Whom It May Concern, were revived, the last two visiting Macau for a week's tour in March.

The company was also one of the organisers of a Forum on East-West Theatre, which attracted experts from Singapore, Taiwan, Macau and China.

Hong Kong Ballet

The Hong Kong Ballet contributed to the celebration of the opening of Sha Tin Town Hall by presenting La Sylphide, produced by guest producer Patricia Rianne to packed houses in February.

It was invited to give its first performance in China this March. The programmes, La Sylphide and Vespri, received very enthusiastic response from the dignitaries present, and a 6 000 strong audience over five performances.

Don Quixote, produced by the legendary Russian producer Nicholas Beriozoff in May, marked the beginning of another epoch in the development of the ballet company. The exquisite standard of the dancers' performance, sets and costumes drew wide critical acclaim.

Set up in October 1986, the Education Unit of the company brought ballet to the community in the form of performances, holiday courses, lecture-demonstrations and workshops. The work of the unit was displayed in an exhibition of photographs and paintings at the Landmark in September.

The company also performed in the City Hall's Silver Jubilee.

To demonstrate the dancers' virtuosity in forms other than classical, Artistic Director, Garry Trinder invited three renowned choreographers - Choo San Goh, Charles Czarny and Jack Carter - to present three modern pieces as the company's contribution to the festival.-

The year ended with a new production of The Nutcracker by Peter Darrell, Artistic Director of the Scottish Ballet, to the accompaniment of live music. Guests included the Governor, Sir David Wilson, Dame Margot Fonteyn and Mr David Wall, Director of the Royal Academy of Dancing.

City Contemporary Dance Company

The City Contemporary Dance Company brought its art to an interested local and overseas population in a heavily scheduled and rewarding year. The company continued its innovative dance subscription series with four large-scale productions, featuring original pieces and guest performers, within a four-month period starting March this year. It also performed in the City Hall's jubilee festival.

The company made its debut in Taipei in April at the invitation of the Cloudgate Dance Theatre. Other overseas performances included participation in the Asia Pacific Arts Festival held in Vancouver and the Shanghai International Arts Festival, during which artists from more than 10 regions in the world met for cultural exchange.

The company was also active in promoting modern dance activities by co-operating with the district arts associations, reaching out to the student population and the com- munity at large through lecture demonstrations and a total of 75 performances during the year.

Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, offering professional training in the various disciplines of music, drama, dance and technical arts, held its first graduation of