Latest news with #XiquCentre
The Standard
28 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- The Standard
CIC robot contests lift smart construction ecosystem
Public exhibition, forum and performance contest set for July 31-August 2 at Xiqu Centre, WestK following back-to-back robotics competitions
South China Morning Post
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
The French theatre production scaling literal and philosophical heights
Nietzsche once wrote, 'When you gaze long into the void, the void also gazes into you.' Surely he did not imagine swaying on a wire or clinging to a rock face thousands of feet in the air, despite gravity's strongest persuasions. That precarious position is exactly what drives Corps extrêmes. Held in the Xiqu Centre in West Kowloon, far from any gaping abyss, the performance still induces the second-hand vertigo of witnessing humans confront extreme heights. Punctuated by video projections and spoken word, the show revolves around the reflections of a highliner, an acrobat and a climber as they narrate their journeys, accompanied by visuals of them traversing mountains and canyons in solitude. American climber Ann Raber and Italian highliner Luca Chiarva star in the production, joined by eight acrobats. Corps extrêmes is the brainchild of director Rachid Ouramdane, who heads the Chaillot National Dance Theater in Paris, France. Named 'one of the best performances of the year' by The New York Times in 2023 and Best International Dance Show by the performing arts platform Recomana this year, the performance is a display of acrobatics and athleticism expressed through modern dance, set to a heady trip-hop soundscape by Jean-Baptiste Julien. Rachid Ouramdane, head of Paris' Chaillot National Dance Theater, in Corps extrêmes. Photo: Pascale Cholette I caught Ouramdane and Raber between rehearsals on a Thursday afternoon, before the opening weekend. Ouramdane is French-Algerian, soft-spoken and meticulous, with a quiet presence that can be felt over the flurry of producers and assistants. He is known for combining the disciplines of sports and dance in his productions, such as Mobïus Morphosis, created as part of the Cultural Olympiad of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Raber is similarly quiet, dressed in athletic gear similar to her show attire, with the most formidable shoulders I've ever seen. Hailing from Houston, Texas, in the United States, Raber has a background in gymnastics and discovered climbing in her mid-20s. Two decades later, she's scaled heights all over the world and is among the oldest women to have climbed a V13 boulder problem in Texas' Hueco Tanks State Park. What stands out in our conversation and from watching the performance later that weekend was not the eye-watering stunts onstage, nor the lone-hero-against-the-world narrative we so often associate with extreme sports. Raber climbs in the show, yes, but where I really held my breath was when the team was working together, leaping from the climbing wall and human towers to be caught gently by their teammates' arms a split second before they would have hit the floor. Several stunts in Corps extrêmes cause audible gasps from the audience. Photo: Pascale Cholette It was in these moments, amid audible gasps from the audience and seeing these performers free dive into space, trusting their teammates to save them, that I realised Corps extrêmes is really about working together; it's about the trust, support and human connection that allows someone such as Raber to climb as high as she does. Ouramdane sums it up, delivered with a casual finality that only the French seem able to pull off: 'You can't fly if there's no one to rescue you.'
Time Out
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The West End ‘Life of Pi' play makes its debut in Hong Kong this month
From a globally acclaimed novel and award-winning film adaptation by Ang Lee, to two theatrical versions performed across the UK, it's no exaggeration to say that Life of Pi by Yann Martel is one of the most iconic stories of the 21st century. Theatre lovers will be glad to know that the play is soon making its Hong Kong debut at the Xiqu Centre. The original West End production from London has won five Olivier Awards and three Tony Awards, so this is a great chance for Hong Kong audiences to see the magic right on home soil. One of the most remarkable aspects of the Life of Pi play is its use of exquisite puppetry in presenting the various animal characters such as the orangutans, zebras, hyenas, and Richard Parker the Bengal tiger. If you've seen The Lion King musical, you'll know first-hand how life-like puppets can be, and this production includes three very skilled puppeteers who deftly bring the animals to life. For those who have yet to experience the tale in any format, Life of Pi tells the story of Pi, a young Indian boy who loses his family in a shipwreck and finds himself having to survive while adrift at sea on a lifeboat with a range of animals, including the potentially dangerous tiger Richard Parker. Blending fantasy with reality, it deals with the profound themes of humanity and survival, religion and faith, as well as whether truth and fiction are important at all. Head to the Xiqu Centre from June 26 to 29 for a very limited six-show run of Life of Pi on stage. Tickets range from $288 to $1,188, with concessions available, but they're fast running out so get clicking now!
Listly
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Listly
Unforgettable Arts and Cultural Attractions that Await in Hong Kong: An Invitation for Art Enthusiasts and Culture Buffs
In its heyday, Chinese opera was a form of art that drew large crowds, but its appeal has somewhat dimmed in recent times. However, Xiqu Centre is aiming to restore Cantonese opera to its rightful place in the art world. Opened in 2019, its exceptional design, inspired by Chinese lanterns, champions both Chinese culture and modern architecture. The Grand Theatre can accommodate over 1,000 guests, while the Tea House Theatre is reserved for more intimate, small-scale performances. The centre is busy throughout the year hosting Cantonese opera, and there are also exhibitions, workshops, and guided tours.
