Cover A still from ‘Final Call 929G’ (Photo: courtesy of Boom Theatre and Rainy Apple Theatre)
A still from ‘Final Call 929G’ (Photo: courtesy of Boom Theatre and Rainy Apple Theatre)
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Culture vultures should put these exciting arts events and exhibitions on their radar
Immerse yourself in reinterpretations of classic works of arts this month, from the remake of Giacomo Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly (1904) by Tatler AMI honouree 2021 Liza Wang to Hong Kong Repertory Theatre’s take on the life of 17th century courtesan-turned-poetess Liu Rushi.
Meanwhile, those with a penchant for contemporary art can check out Indonesian artist Melati Suryodarmo’s dance performance at Eaton Hong Kong. From a cappella shows to musicals, our events line-up is sure to whet your appetite for all things art and culture this month.
In case you missed: The first Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo is set to launch in October 2024
1. ‘Sound On’
Above VSing (Photo: courtesy of VSing)
VSing (Photo: courtesy of VSing)
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When: September 8
Where: Hong Kong City Hall, Central
What: Local a cappella group VSing is set to share the stage with international jazz a cappella band Accent in an one-night-only concert funded by Hong Kong’s Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme. Accent has carved a niche for itself in the a cappella world: with five albums, music tours across Europe and North America, and two sold-out Christmas shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall. In the Hong Kong collaboration with VSing, the performers are expected to singer originals as well as all-time favourite pop songs.
2. ‘Final Call: 929G’
Above From left: Johnny Hui, Frankie Chan and Siulung Wong in “Final Call: 929G” (Photo: courtesy of Boom Theatre and Rainy Apple Theatre)
From left: Johnny Hui, Frankie Chan and Siulung Wong in “Final Call: 929G” (Photo: courtesy of Boom Theatre and Rainy Apple Theatre)
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When: September 17-24
Where: Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District
What: Boy band Mirror’s Frankie Chan makes his theatrical debut in this Cantonese musical, which explores the intricate relationships between three central characters. Produced and presented by Boom Theatre and Rainy Apple Theatre, it has more than ten songs and received rave reviews when it was first showcased in 2019 with a different cast.
3. ‘Frank Walter: Pastorale’
Above “Frank Walter: Pastorale” (Image: courtesy of David Zwirner and the artist)
“Frank Walter: Pastorale” (Image: courtesy of David Zwirner and the artist)
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When: September 14-October 28
Where: David Zwirner, Central
What: Considered a creative polymath, Frank Walter (1926-2009) was an Antiguan artist, writer, composer, philosopher, photographer and sculptor. This autumn, David Zwirner brings the first presentation of his work in Asia to Hong Kong in Frank Walter: Pastorale. Walter’s work was informed by his mixed-race heritage—which included aristocratic European slave owners—his role as the manager of a sugar plantation (a rare Black man among white peers), and an influential trip to Scotland. The exhibition is curated by the scholar and the artist’s close friend Barbara Paca, and features a group of Caribbean landscape paintings alongside those depicting Scottish meadows. Other works featured use a variety of unusual materials including Polaroid film cartridge boxes, mosquito coil boxes and fragments of sketchpad covers.
4. ‘Liu Rushi, My Dear’
Above “Liu Rushi, My Dear” (Photo: courtesy of HKRep)
“Liu Rushi, My Dear” (Photo: courtesy of HKRep)
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When: September 9-24
Where: Hong Kong City Hall, Central
What: Hong Kong Repertory Theatre’s artistic director Poon Wai-sum, known for creating works that combine a western theatrical aesthetic with Chinese historical figures as subjects, is staging a new drama production, Liu Rushi, My Dear. Inspired by the tragic life of the title character, a courtesan in the late Ming dynasty celebrated as one of the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai River, the play spotlights her romantic relationships with various scholars, her controversial marriage to a sage many decades her senior, and her loyalty to the country when the Ming court was invaded.
5. HKPhil season opening
Above Jaap van Zweden (Photo: courtesy of Eric Hong)
Jaap van Zweden (Photo: courtesy of Eric Hong)
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When: September 8-15
Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui
What: The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra 2023/24 season will be Dutch conductor Jaap van Zweden’s last as artistic director. Don’t miss the season opening concerts, where Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell will join Van Zweden onstage to perform the Asia premiere of The Elements, a collaborative work by five American composers inspired by natural elements; and pianist Rudolf Buchbinder will perform works by Mendelssohn and Beethoven. Later in the season, Van Zweden will conduct a concert featuring piano superstar Lang Lang and, fittingly, an opera-concert production of The Flying Dutchman.
6. ‘Extended Space 2023’
Above Installation view of “Extended Space 2023” (Image: courtesy of Melati Suryodarmo, Xavier Le Roy, City Contemporary Dance Company and Eaton HK)
Installation view of “Extended Space 2023” (Image: courtesy of Melati Suryodarmo, Xavier Le Roy, City Contemporary Dance Company and Eaton HK)
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When: September 12-October 6
Where: Eaton Hong Kong, Jordan
What: Indonesian performance artist Melati Suryodarmo is seen as the Marina Abramović of Asia: she is globally renowned for her thought-provoking and physically demanding performances. Her best known work is Exergie—Butter Dance (2000) which features the artist clad in high heels and a fitted black dress dancing and treading on 20 packs of butter. The work is a feminist metaphor for the difficulties women face in living up to societal standards, and set the framework through which much of her work would be interpreted. This month, she will present a new work, Unpacked No. 1: Love (2023), in the form of a lecture performance at Eaton Hotel’s Tomorrow Maybe as part of its programme Expanded Space 2023: (RE)Play.
The following day, French dance artist Xavier Le Roy will present his lecture performance Product of Other Circumstances (2009). The performances will be accompanied by an exhibition of works associated with and produced by the artists, including sculptures and kinetic installation works, to bridge the divide between movement and image-making.
7. Madame Butterfly
Above From left: Law Kar-ying and Liza Wang (Photo: courtesy of Boomabliss)
From left: Law Kar-ying and Liza Wang (Photo: courtesy of Boomabliss)
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When: until September 9
Where: Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District
What: To celebrate the 35th anniversary of her theatre Boomabliss, Tatler’s Asia’s Most Influential 2021 honouree Liza Wang presents a number of Cantonese operas. The first is Madame Butterfly, inspired by Giacomo Puccini’s western opera of the same name, and co-starring fellow veteran Cantonese opera actor Law Kar-ying. This will be followed by De Ling and Empress Dowager Ci Xi, a story about the Manchu empress and her favourite lady-in-waiting; and A Thorn Hairpin, adapted from the original version developed in the Song dynasty in the 12th century.
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