Festival's boss tired but triumphant
With the final week of the Hong Kong Arts Festival having arrived and audiences clamouring for tickets to the remaining shows, the event's sleep-deprived executive director, Douglas Gautier, can permit himself a smile as he reflects on the biggest and most successful festival to date.
'The 2005 festival season has been a success for a number of reasons, not least because of the enthusiasm and passion of Hong Kong audiences - especially in relation to new works commissioned for this year's programme,' he says.
Seven works were commissioned for this year's festival, some involving first-time international collaborations.
'Of these seven new commissions, five will be presented at other festivals and locations with the Hong Kong Arts Festival stamped on the credits - something Hong Kong should rightly be very proud of,' Mr Gautier adds.
'This festival can act as a catalyst for new works and showcase contemporary works from China, such as Amber and All That Shanghai Jazz, with very positive results.'
Mr Gautier says there has also been great interest in productions such as Little Prince Hamlet, which saw Hong Kong choreographers working with their counterparts from around the region, and which will feature on the programme at the upcoming Gothenburg Festival in Sweden.
Another is The Nightingale, commissioned to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Hans Christian Andersen.
The production, a collaboration between the Yellow Earth Theatre Company, Chung Ying and the British Council, will now be shown in London before embarking on a UK tour.
And French Kiss, seen by Korean producers attending the festival this year, will be translated and produced for audiences in Korea.
'We have acted as a crucible for producing works that other festivals pick up on, which speaks volumes for both Hong Kong performers and others across the region,' says Mr Gautier.
He also reports that the festival's Young Friends Scheme has attracted about 6,000 people aged under 25.
'We have a great young team running the Hong Kong Arts Festival's Young Friends Scheme under the patronage of The Edward Youde Foundation, and the enthusiasm demonstrated by our young members bodes extremely well for the future of the performing arts here.' This year's festival exceeded its target of 90 per cent-plus ticket sales, and secured increased corporate sponsorship.
Says Mr Gautier: 'We have more sponsors working in partnership with us, and these alliances are strong and very positive.' Festival-goers will doubtless be hoping the event enjoys even greater success next year.
