City Beat | Hong Kong needs to dance to the tune of attracting the very best talent
City faces challenges from the mainland, whether in ballet troupes or technological development
“How come most of the dancers are from mainland China? What about those from Hong Kong?”
The question was raised by the audience during a sharing session with Septime Webre, the new artistic director of the Hong Kong Ballet, after it recently started its new season with the classic, Don Quixote, at the Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui.
“Hong Kong is such an international city, it attracts talent from everywhere ... Also, because in [mainland] China they have beautiful and systematic training [for dancers], so they are very good,” Webre replied.
“However, we also have local dancers, and those from other countries. I find Hong Kong such a vibrant city and that’s why talent comes here.”
The world famous Cuban-American director, who joined the Hong Kong Ballet barely two months ago and still looked excited to be here, was on stage reviewing the performance with his two principal dancers, who happen to hail from the mainland.