Hong Kong Ballet is celebrating its 45th anniversary with a star-powered take on a Chinese folk tale
As part of its 45th anniversary celebrations, Hong Kong Ballet has enlisted a who’s who of the creative world for its vivid interpretation of a classic folk tale
Headlining Hong Kong Ballet’s current season is The Butterfly Lovers, a vivid reimagining of an age-old Chinese folk tale, which will have its world premiere on Friday, 18 October.
Choreographed by Hong Kong Ballet’s choreographer-in-residence, Ricky Hu Songwei, and his wife, Mai Jingwen, this show brings to life the tragic romance of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai.
In this epic Chinese legend, Zhu disguises herself as a boy to escape her family compound and pursue an education at a prestigious academy, where she meets Liang. Their friendship quickly blossoms into love, but societal pressures and family expectations – as well as the revelation of Zhu’s true identity – threaten to tear them apart.
In the second act, Zhu returns home to discover her father has arranged for her to marry someone else. Unbeknown to her, Liang has met his own tragic fate. The heartbreak arrives when Zhu learns of Liang’s death and, grief-stricken, jumps into his grave. In a transcendent finale, the lovers transform into butterflies, soaring into the sky in a celebration of their undying connection.
Pre-show talks on October 19 will give insights into the inspiration behind The Butterfly Lovers and explore how its themes of forbidden love and familial duty were interpreted through dance and design.
Tickets from HK$180. Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
