ENG-1994 — Page 440

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

390

In 1994, 260 000 people attended 452 performances at the City Hall. In addition, 109 exhibitions were held.

Community Arts Centres

The Urban Council operates four community arts centres the Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre, Sheung Wan Civic Centre, Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre and Ko Shan Theatre. These play an active role in promoting district-based cultural activities.

Each centre includes a theatre, an exhibition hall and various other ancillary facilities such as a lecture hall, art studios and practice rooms. During the year, these centres were used for 1 220 cultural and entertainment events, including dramas, Cantonese operas, concerts, variety shows, arts festivals and ceremonies, for audiences totalling 290 000.

The Ko Shan Theatre was closed temporarily from mid-July for major improvement works. The theatre auditorium, with 1 000 seats, will have air-conditioning installed. The open-air section will be demolished and replaced with a new foyer block housing rehearsal facilities, committee rooms and a cafeteria. The stage, lighting and sound systems will all receive technical enhancements. The refurbished Ko Shan Theatre is scheduled to re-open in early 1996.

Indoor Stadia

The Hong Kong Coliseum and Queen Elizabeth Stadium, managed by the council, are two of Asia's best-equipped, multi-purpose indoor stadia.

The 12 500-seat coliseum is a popular venue not only for pop concerts by local and international performers, but also for world-class entertainment spectaculars. Highlights of the year included concerts by local pop stars Andy Lau, Faye Wong and Aaron Kwok; overseas artists Bryan Adams and Bob Dylan; as well as famous pop groups Air Supply, Chage and Aska, Duran Duran and Santana. The annual World Women's Volleyball Super Challenge Cup and popular family entertainment programmes such as Walt Disney's World on Ice, were also held.

The compact 3 500-seat Queen Elizabeth Stadium plays host to numerous medium- sized productions, ranging from sports events, pop concerts and cultural programmes to conventions. Highlights of 1994 included performances by Chris Isaak, INXS, Ryuichi Sakamoto and UB 40. It was also the venue for the Hong Kong Annual Badminton Championships 1994 and World Wrestling Federation Live Event, and various competitions in squash, volleyball, basketball, table tennis and gymnastics.

Computerised Ticketing

The Urban Council operates URBTIX (Urban Ticketing System), a computerised system providing a full range of ticketing services primarily in support of cultural and entertainment events through its network of 22 outlets. URBTIX not only sells tickets for the council's own presentations, but acts as a ticketing agent for events presented by other organisations. Its services include counter bookings and prior reservation by telephone. The system also handles credit card phone orders from its registered patrons.

In a continuing effort to provide better services to the public, the URBTIX computers were upgraded in January to facilitate the handling of more events and faster issuing of tickets. During the year, 4.4 million tickets were sold through the system.