Dance to the North Pole

Australian choreographer Paul Boyd was just four when he began his love affair with ballet. 'I was a little boy and all I ever did was dance,' he recalls.

Fast-forward 46 years. Boyd is still twirling around on his feet. This time he's choreographing around 70 youngsters in Hong Kong in his latest production, a Christmas-themed ballet based on the popular 2004 film The Polar Express.

Hailing from the Australian outback town of Wagga Wagga, Boyd came to Hong Kong last April to supervise an audition of children for the local production of a show that was first performed in Sydney. Dancers were judged not only on their technical skill and physical prowess but also on their ability to act naturally on stage.

Rehearsals only started around four weeks ago. It has been no easy task for Boyd and his three groups of performers, who range from six years old to Academy for Performing Arts students.

Professionals formerly with the Hong Kong Ballet also participate in the show, put together by The Hong Kong Ballet Group. Yet despite the presence of adults, it's still largely a children's show. 'You see the difference between the children, the almost-professionals and the professionals,' he says.

The show's lead dancer is Brian Yam Wing-nam, who is just 12. His intensive practice schedule has left little time for other extra-curricular activities, he says. 'I only have time to do homework after 2pm, when the rehearsal ends,' he says.