The Hong Kong Ballet is kicking off its new season this Saturday, celebrating its 45th anniversary with Artistic Director Septime Webre’s Asian premiere of The Wizard of Oz! Prepare to be swept away in a whirlwind of excitement and join Dorothy and her friends as they dance their way to the Emerald City.
Catch The Wizard of Oz on stage for five performances at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from August 30 to September 1.
Hong Kong Ballet Artistic Director Septime Webre says his production draws heavily from L. Frank Baum’s original story. Webre shares, “When planning the ballet, I was certainly inspired by the film and also the book, and the very pop-oriented film from the mid-1970s [The Whiz] starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.”
Septime Webre emphasizes that the story’s fantastical elements were a major inspiration for bringing it to life as a ballet. “The Wizard of Oz is such a vivid story, with characters that are kinetic and rather explosive. The whole story begs to be danced.”
The Yellow Brick Road is reimagined as a dynamic, physical presence called the Yellow Brick Roadies,who are in charge of Dorothy on an exhilarating journey – Septime Webre explains this vision, “These are eight men who are mischievous, a bit wild and really bring Dorothy on a rollicking ride.” The Yellow Brick Roadies are also influenced by David Bowie’s 70s and 80s aesthetics and the energy of a K-pop boy band, adding a fresh, playful twist to the narrative.
The Wizard of Oz casts a dreamy and fantastical feast for both the eyes and ears. Matthew Pierce’s exhilarating original score, played by The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra will have you on the edge of your seat with its pumping infusion of punk rock and 70s funk-inspired elements.
The ballet truly does explode –both on stage and screen – with a stunning array of cutting-edge special effects, including hologram technology, facial motion capture, 3D projections and 100 yards of LED lights, all of which underscore the theme of illusions central to the childhood tale.
Webre’s choreography is infused with a boldness and playfulness that perfectly complements the cheeky, carnivalesque visuals and discotheque elements while seamlessly blending with the traditional ballet dance language.
Highlights from the ballet include an enticing poppy field dance and a dramatic display of the vengeful Winged Monkeys, featuring a blend of soaring male dancers and intricate puppetry. The Wizard of Oz himself appears as a speaking hologram, with pixelated dancing bodies materializing and dissolving in sync with the live dancers. The Good Witch’s arrival is marked by a magical shower of bubbles, enhancing the enchantment.
Additionally, the show boasts 120 vibrant costumes, designed by Liz Vandal, as well as 20 intricately designed puppets, including Toto, who energetically interacts with Dorothy, adding a unique artistic flair.
Webre’s 2018 production of “The Wizard of Oz” debuted in Kansas, Dorothy’s home state, and garnered multiple Benois de la Danse nominations, including Best Ballet, Best Set/Costume Design, and Best New Score, and Best Choreographer.
While the essence of the original musical is still preserved, Webre breathes new life into the sweet, all American story, delivering a powerful message about the power of self-belief that is culturally significant to HK and on a universal scale.
Septime Webre shares that “Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion are all seeking qualities they believe they lack from the Wizard…Through their journey, they come to realise by the end of the ballet that they actually already possess these things…they just needed to look inside themselves and find what they were seeking.”
Aside from watching the performance, fans of The Wizard of Oz can also explore Oz Life Journey at GATE33 Gallery, running until September 4. This immersive Arts Tech experience, a collaboration with the new Kai Tak landmark AIRSIDE, features nine neon interactive stations of HKB dancers as anime-style avatars performing pirouettes and arabesques that combine MR and VR technology with a kinetic interactive program.
What’s more, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre is hosting anArts Tech Emerald City exhibition on the ground floor foyer, where participants can dive into the vibrant and glittering world of Emerald City, experience the thrill of traveling through an epic twister, and create their own augmented reality (AR) videos.
Fans of the Wizard of Oz can also look forward to what’s next for HK Ballet’s season. Highlights include HKB’s Choreographer-In-Residence Ricky Hu’s The Butterfly Lovers in October, the Christmas holiday classic The Nutcracker, and brand-new ballets Frida and Giselle in spring. Meanwhile, Alice in Wonderland will tour Beijing and Singapore, spreading its charm far and wide. Finally, the HK Ballet will be hosting an international gala to celebrate their45th anniversary with star dancers and HKB artists, promising an unforgettable evening of elegance and artistry.
Don’t miss this must-see event of the ballet season—its enchanting visuals are sure to leave you spellbound.
