Ballet inspired by Hong Kong kung fu legend Bruce Lee set for global spotlight
Marketing expert Colleen Yu says the city needs ‘structured and tailored storytelling for each type of fan’ to boost cultural tourism
The Hong Kong Ballet will launch a new performance inspired by local kung fu legend Bruce Lee and present it on the global stage, the leading dance company has revealed, as part of the city’s efforts to share “authentic” cultural stories with the world.
Septime Webre, artistic director of the Hong Kong Ballet, highlighted the plan during a panel discussion on Monday at the Redefining Hong Kong conference on Culture, Sports and Tourism, hosted by the South China Morning Post.
“This is the kind of thing where we got a great idea that is quite Hong Kong – it’s a Hong Kong story, but also an international story, and it can become bigger with our relatively limited artistic funds by bringing in many, many partners,” he said.
He said that the company was currently in talks to sign memorandums of understanding with presenters or co-commissioners from around the world, including Abu Dhabi, Tokyo, London and Paris.
Webre also told the Post that the company’s three male principal dancers were expected to take turns playing the role of the late kung fu star, while there were plans to invite Hong Kong martial artist Donnie Yen Ji-dan to portray Ip Man – Lee’s wing chun master.
There were also discussions to invite New York Ballet principal dancer Chan Chun-wai to play a role.