If you’ve ever wanted to feel the pulse of a dancer’s footwork without leaving your seat, Wayne McGregor’s latest creation might be your ticket.
The celebrated British choreographer has teamed up with Hong Kong Ballet, Hong Kong Baptist University(HKBU), and a roster of international artists to launch On the Other Earth, a radical immersive dance experience that premiered at the Venice Biennale Danza 2025.
Set inside a 360-degree panoramic screen with 26 millionpixels of visual intensity, the installation surrounds viewers with cinematic choreography, 3D animation, and spatialized soundscapes that evoke both deep space and deep ocean, making it a sensory plunge into movement, myth, and speculative futures.
Hong Kong plays a starring role in the immersive experience. Dancers from the Hong Kong Ballet corps perform alongside McGregor’s own company, with sequences filmed on the Peninsula Hotel’s helipad and other iconic city locations. “This groundbreaking collaboration brings together the best of international innovation and artistry,” said Septime Webre, Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet. “Our dancers bring extraordinary versatility to this fusion of ballet, contemporary dance, and cutting-edge technology.”
The installation is powered by nVis, a stereoscopic 12K LED cylindrical screen developed by Professor Jeffrey Shaw and Professor Sarah Kenderdine at HKBU’s Visualization Research Centre. Funded by the HKSAR Government’s Innovation and Technology Commission, the project exemplifies Hong Kong’s commitment to art-tech leadership.
“It will be a solid demonstration of the power of transdisciplinary innovation and knowledge transfer, one that transcends geography and culture,” said Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer at HKBU, on the installation’s global tour.
Thematically, On the Other Earth aligns with the Biennale’s “Myth Makers” focus, reimagining ancient stories through digital choreography. McGregor’s work asks whether immersive environments can rival the emotional immediacy of live performance, a question that resonates in a city increasingly invested in cultural innovation.
For Hong Kong audiences, the excitement is just beginning. The installation is slated to arrive at Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts in 2026, promising a cultural event that blends dance, design, and digital spectacle in a way the city has never seen before. As HKBU President Professor Alex Wai noted, “Showcasing Hong Kong’s homegrown performance on the world stage highlights our distinctive creative vision”.
Whether you’re a ballet diehard or a tech-curious art lover, this is one experience that invites you to step inside the story.
For more information about the production, visit Wayne McGregor’s website here and follow him on Instagram here. Stay updated with Tai Kwun's events and happenings by following them on Instagram and Facebook.
