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Kevin Kwong

Natasha Rogai

A top ballerina with the Hong Kong Ballet  has been sacked - weeks before the troupe is due to appear in the  Arts Festival  for the first time since 1995.
The departure of Faye Leung, who has been with the Ballet for 13 years, may affect the morale of the 30-year-old troupe.
One  insider said: 'It will be a devastating blow to the company.'
On Friday, Leung, a principal ballerina,   was asked by  Ballet  board member Linda Fung   to leave the company immediately.
'I asked her why I couldn't just finish the contract, which ends in May/June,'  said Leung, who was cast in all four pieces in the mixed bill the troupe is putting on from February 13 to 15 during the city's arts showpiece. 'I asked why [the decision was made]  with no warning and I was told that it was just a decision  by board members - that's all. I was so shocked. I didn't do anything wrong.
'Fung then said my direction and the company's direction were  going different ways.'
The group's outgoing artistic director, John Meehan,  who was on leave last week,  was not informed of the decision.
'When I heard the news of Faye's dismissal, I was dismayed I had no warning,' he said.  'I've never heard of a situation where the dancer is dismissed without the artistic director's knowledge.'
Meehan said  Leung was  an 'extremely valuable member' of the company, something that had been  reflected in the casting of the All Bach  programme for the festival, which features William Forsythe's  Steptext,  George Balanchine's  Concerto Barocco,  Stanton Welch's  Clear  and Wang Xinpeng's  Mein Bach (My Bach).
'I think all those who have come to mount the ballet were very impressed with Faye's abilities,'  Meehan said. 'Faye is  dancing  at her peak  ... and this would be an enormous loss for the company.'
Sandra Jennings,  of the Balanchine Trust,  which  allows Hong Kong Ballet  to perform Concerto Barocco,  said  Leung's dismissal saddened her.
'I just finished working with her  ... I cast the ballet on behalf of the Balanchine Trust and it is a shame that the public won't get to see her dance the principal women in the ballet.'
A statement issued by  the Ballet's executive director, Evonne Tsui,   confirmed that Leung had been 'released from the company', but offered no explanation.
'The Ballet is in extremely good shape and has a strong bench of outstanding principal dancers including Jin Yao  and guest artist Tan Yuanyuan,'  she said.
It is understood that Tan has yet to confirm any appearances in Hong Kong this  year.
The Home Affairs Bureau,  which funds the troupe, said  it had not been told  of the board's decision to dismiss Leung and would 'need some time to understand the situation'.
Tisa Ho,  executive director of the Arts Festival,    said  the latest development 'will add to the changes the company has to deal with'.



Top ballerina's sacking ahead of festival date seen hitting morale