Cover Nana Sakai and Jonathan Spigner in Hong Kong Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ (Photo: courtesy of Conrad Dy-Liacco and the HKBallet)
Nana Sakai and Jonathan Spigner in Hong Kong Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ (Photo: courtesy of Conrad Dy-Liacco and the HKBallet)
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End the year with a bang with these spectacular events where classic tales get retold and rising artists take the spotlight
’Tis the most wonderful time of the year for those who love Christmas, as the city’s arts and culture scene gets most festive! For a start, get nostalgic with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HKPhil) as it puts on Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Live in Concert. The Hong Kong Ballet will stage the Christmas staple The Nutcracker, a Hong Kong adaption that has been receiving rave reviews since its premiere two years ago.
But for those who identify as Grinch, there are plenty of arts happening around town for an artsy winter. Two of the world’s most prestigious museums in the world, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy and the National Gallery, London, have collaborated with the city’s art institutions to showcase paintings by the likes of Vincent Van Gogh, Raphael and Rembrandt. Oscar-winning Chinese composer Tan Dun, known for writing the film score of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2021), is in town for a few concerts that celebrate folk and rock music. And if you fancy heading over to Macau for the weekend, check out The Londoner Macao’s Harry Potter exhibition for a magical winter. Read on for more.
In case you missed it: David Beckham and Inter Miami CF partner with Tatler Asia for groundbreaking XFEST football match with Hong Kong Team
1. ‘The Impossible Trial’ musical
Above A stage photo of ‘The Impossible Trial’ (Photo: courtesy of Thomas Ho and West Kowloon Cultural District Authority)
A stage photo of ‘The Impossible Trial’ (Photo: courtesy of Thomas Ho and West Kowloon Cultural District Authority)
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When: until December 24, 2023
Where: Xiqu Centre, 88 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui
What: After what seems to be a cursed year of cancellations due to the pandemic, this Cantonese musical returns to the stage this winter. Featuring music by Leon Ko, lyrics by Chris Shum, script by Cheung Fei Fan, widely considered as the Three Musketeers of the theatre industry in Hong Kong, the production tells the story of Qing dynasty barrister Fong Tong-geng, known for his greed and malice, who seeks redemption when he is haunted by the ghost of a childhood friend.
2. ‘The Nutcracker’ ballet
Above “The Nutcracker” (Photo: courtesy of Tony Luk and HKBallet)
“The Nutcracker” (Photo: courtesy of Tony Luk and HKBallet)
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When: December 15-30, 2023
Where: Hong Kong Culture Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui
What: Hong Kong Ballet’s The Nutcracker by Septime Webre, which sets the classic Christmas staple in early 20th century Hong Kong, has been dazzling the audience with its elaborate sets and costumes since its premiere in 2021. Expect adorable dim sum characters jumping out of a giant bamboo steamer dress, tropical birds showing off dance moves and blossoming bauhinias twirling onstage. Together with the familiar breath-taking music by Tchaikovsky, the production promises festive cheer as Clara and her friends take the audience on an adventure to the Land of Snow.
This year also marks the 15th annual Nutcracker Christmas Benefit, hosted by the Hong Kong Ballet Guild. Led by co-chairs Emily Lam Ho, Emelda Wong Trainor and Michelle Miller Erb, the event will be held on December 17 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
Children of the benefit’s committee members will perform in The Nutcracker shows. Funds raised at the benefit go to supporting the Hong Kong Ballet's Student Ticket Fund, which provides half-priced tickets to local full-time students, and the community project Dancing to Hong Kong’s Heartbeat 2.0, which exposes underserved people of the city to the ballet arts through performances and workshops around town.
Erb says that this year's benefit enables the Hong Kong Ballet to enhance the community outreach programme to "ensure that the city's underprivileged communities experience the unique magic of the Hong Kong elements of The Nutcracker." Wong Trainor adds that the funds raised at the benefit support the Hong Kong Ballet's Student Ticket Fund, making ballet accessible to diverse audiences. "It offers more than entertainment but [also] a gateway to cultural experiences and inspiration," she says. Lam Ho thanks all the donors and patrons for giving generously "so that future generations can appreciate and enjoy the performing arts".
3. ‘Silent Love’ exhibition
Above “Silent Love” (2023) by Alfred Cheng (Photo: courtesy of Artify and the artist)
“Silent Love” (2023) by Alfred Cheng (Photo: courtesy of Artify and the artist)
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When: until December 21, 2023
Where: Artify, 10 Ice House Street, Central
What: Self-taught Hong Kong thread artist Alfred Cheng specialises in weaving “paintings” of roses, wild animals and human faces with a single strand of thread on canvas. Viewed from afar, his works resemble pencil or ink sketch art and give off a soft, dark and sombre ambience. This exhibition features some of his most representative pieces, which includes his series of black roses that invite viewers to consider the emotions beyond the physical form of a flower.
4. Airside Christmas: Winter Voyage
Above Blutopia (Photo: courtesy of Airside)
Blutopia (Photo: courtesy of Airside)
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When: until January 19, 2024
Where: Blutopia Art: Gate33 Gallery, Airside
What: Kai Tak’s commercial arcade Airside has a latest addition to its entertainment experiences: Blutopia, a 3,000 sq ft digital aquarium which offers a multi-sensory exhibition about marine ecology. Featuring augmented and mixed reality (MR) technologies and digital art installations and projections, the space is divided into five zones that represent different ocean layers. While visitors enjoy the interactive light installations of jellyfish in the dark, or "swim" around the coral installations with MR effects, they will also get to learn about aquatic life, with research content provided by The Swire Institute of Marine Science.
The exhibition is hosted by local non-profit organisation A.L.A.N, which is short for Artists Who Love Animals and Nature, and created by 12 international creative arts units, such as Hong Kong-based digital art studio, The Collective; classical music composer Daniel Lo; Indonesian crochet artist Mulyana; and French-Portuguese mixed-media artist Frédéric Bussière.
5. ‘Titian and the Venetian Renaissance from the Uffizi’ exhibition
Above “Flora” (1515-1517) by Titian (Photo: courtesy of HKMoA and Uffizi)
“Flora” (1515-1517) by Titian (Photo: courtesy of HKMoA and Uffizi)
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When: until February 28, 2023
Where: Hong Kong Museum of Art, Tsim Sha Tsui
What: The first large-scale exhibition of Renaissance master Titian in the city is on view at the Hong Kong Museum of Art. The 50 artworks are mainly from the collection of Italy’s Uffizi Galleries, and many of them haven’t been exhibited internationally until now. Hugely influential, Titian is best known for his striking use of red paint. The works on view include portraits and narratives with biblical and mythological subjects.
6. ‘Harry Potter: The Exhibition’
When: from December 15, 2023 to February 29, 2024
Where: The Londoner Macao
What: Warner Brothers and American exhibition producer Imagine Exhibitions, the latter of which is known for having created Dino Safari and Discovering King Tut’s Tomb, both in Las Vegas, will stage a new Harry Potter exhibition experience in Macau this month. Visitors get to walk through iconic film locations that have been recreated and see props, costumes and magical creatures up-close from the Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter and The Cursed Child franchises. While this exhibition doesn’t offer the original props and sets from the films, as the Warner Brothers Studio in London does, visitors to this Macau experience can choose their own house, wand and Patronus, and practise Quidditch skills by throwing a Quaffle—for muggles who don’t understand what this means, just know that there will be interactive elements. So get your floo power or brooms ready to cross the border.
7. Tan Dun We-Festival
Above Hanggai rock band (Photo: courtesy of LCSD and the artists)
Hanggai rock band (Photo: courtesy of LCSD and the artists)
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When: December 6 to 10, 2023
Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui
What: Unesco Goodwill Ambassador Tan Dun, the Chinese American composer best known for the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon score, will be in Hong Kong to put on two concerts for LCSD’s We-make series, a programme that promotes cultural exchange between the east and west. In When Bach meets Genghis Khan, Tan pairs German classical composer Johann Sebastian Bach’s music with Mongolian rock music in a concert that will also feature digital animation. In Opera and Dance Theatre, he collaborates with Chinese choreographer Yang Liping, who belongs to Yunnan province’s Bai ethnic group, to juxtapose ritual music and traditional dance with Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.
8. ‘Dick Whittington the Panto!’
Above A still from “Dick Whittington the Panto!” (Photo: courtesy of Hong Kong Players)
A still from “Dick Whittington the Panto!” (Photo: courtesy of Hong Kong Players)
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When: until December 10, 2023
Where: Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Wan Chai
What: What’s Christmas without a pantomime featuring sparkling songs, dances and stage combats? Non-profit community theatre group Hong Kong Players annual family-friendly production this year, co-written by Adam Hugill and Tatler Hong Kong’s very own regional managing editor Karly Cox, follows the adventures of Dick Whittington, his cool cat Tom and his Aunt Fanny as they seek their fortune in London—and face off with the evil Rat Queen and her army of repellent rodents.
9. ‘Everybody Wanna Be Happy’ exhibition
Above Jakkai Siributr’s work in 2018 (Photo: courtesy of Chat and the artist)
Jakkai Siributr’s work in 2018 (Photo: courtesy of Chat and the artist)
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When: until February 13, 2024
Where: Chat, The Mills, 45 Pak Tin Par Street, Tsuen Wan
What: Chat presents the first retrospective of acclaimed artist Jakkai Siributr’s work outside of Thailand. Born and based in Bangkok, Siributr is best known for using textiles to comment on and respond to socio-political and topical contemporary issues in his homeland which also have global resonance. The show features two decades worth of work, including textile wall-hangings, sculptures, and a presentation of community initiatives the artist has conducted in at home and abroad. Visitors are encouraged to reflect on the meaning of happiness, and the many, often materialistic, ways in which humans pursue it.
10. ‘Dark’ exhibition
Above “Mado” by Szelit Cheung (Photo: courtesy of Rossi Rossi and the artist)
“Mado” by Szelit Cheung (Photo: courtesy of Rossi Rossi and the artist)
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When: until January 6, 2024
Where: Rossi Rossi, 11/F, M Place, Wong Chuk Hang
What: Local artist Szelit Cheung’s Dark follows his 2021 two-month residency and subsequent exhibition Space at Rossi Rossi. Set in complete darkness, the exhibition features a new body of paintings that builds on the painter’s previous exploration of space and light. In his attempt to capture the two elements, the artist begins each painting with a base of orange which filters through layers of greens and blues which he applies on top. Essentially what Cheung attempts to capture is the void, and depict spaces that go unnoticed in new ways.
11. ‘Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from The National Gallery, London’ exhibition
Above “Long Grass with Butterflies” (1890) by Van Gogh (Photo: courtesy of the National Gallery of London)
“Long Grass with Butterflies” (1890) by Van Gogh (Photo: courtesy of the National Gallery of London)
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When: until April 11, 2024
Where: Hong Kong Palace Museum, West Kowloon
What: Continuing its partnerships with eminent institutions from around the world, Palace Museum presents 52 paintings by masters including Raphael, Rembrandt and Constable from the National Gallery of London’s collection. Highlights include Van Gogh’s Long Grass with Butterflies (1890), Three Miracles of Saint Zenobius (c. 1500) by Botticelli, and Raphael’s The Virgin and Child with the Infant Saint John the Baptist (The Garvagh Madonna, c. 1510-1511). The British institution celebrates its bicentenary this year, and the exhibition marks its first collaboration with a Hong Kong institution.
