THE HONG KONG Arts Festival draws international acts of the highest acclaim to the city, but Hong Kong festival-goers will also learn that a treasure trove of artistic talent can be found right in their own backyards.
Of the 40 performing groups involved in the festival, 10 are local. They cover everything from the Hong Kong Philharmonic to piano prodigies, Cantonese opera stars and established musical theatre companies.
One of the curatorial themes of this year's festival is the celebration of Hong Kong's 'living treasures,' according to festival executive director Douglas Gautier.
Among these influential local artists are Hong Kong composer and octogenarian Doming Lam, Cantonese opera luminary Koi Ming-fai and renowned actor, director and lecturer Chung King-fai.
Chung stars alongside renowned actress Sheren Tang in one of the local theatre highlights, The Unexpected Man, directed by Tang Wai-kit and performed in Cantonese with English surtitles.
The witty psychological drama by Olivier and Tony award-winning French playwright Yasmina Reza of Art fame, captures a brief encounter between two strangers - an author played by Chung, and a secret admirer played by Tang, who share a train compartment.
