At last year's Hong Kong Dance Festival, a delighted audience roared through Rainy Days and Mondays ..., a witty commentary on modern city life choreographed by Noel Pong Chi-kwan. For many, it was an eye-opener. Contemporary dance had never been this accessible, relevant and fun.
It was also a revelation for the City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC), where Pong has been a full-time dancer for a decade. The piece's success not only confirmed the 32-year-old's talent in choreography but the need to showcase works with similar appeal if the government-funded troupe - and the local contemporary dance scene - was to broaden its audience.
Which is why the CCDC has introduced in its 2007/08 season programme a series of more palatable works by young choreographers from within and outside the company. The New Wave Series will complement the existing Master Series, which features works by veterans such as resident choreographer Helen Lai Hoi-ling, and the experimental Dancers' Homework Series. Of the five major productions this season, two will be devoted to nurturing young talent.
CCDC programme and marketing director Clementine Chan Yee-man says the change is part of continuous effort at audience-building. 'We've noticed, especially after taking some of our productions to schools, that works by seasoned choreographers like Helen Lai and [CCDC founder] Willy Tsao are sometimes too difficult for students and new audiences to understand,' Chan says. 'So we've come up with a lineup that defines different audiences.
'The New Wave Series promotes new talent - we've seen some good new works from our young dancers over the past two years. The Dancers' Homework Series has been a good starting point because that's where dancers like Noel have a chance to explore.
'We hope the new series will produce uplifting and fun works that are more relevant to the audience, and will bring them closer to us. Now is the right time because a new generation of mature choreographers is emerging.'