Hong Kong Dance Company in Sydney
Hong Kong Dance Company is returning to Sydney with its award winning production, Convergence, a striking combination of dance and martial arts.
Presented by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney, Convergence features choreography by Artistic Director, Yang Yuntao. Audiences may remember his Legend of Mulan, which came to Sydney in 2015.
Convergence is the culmination of a collaborative study since 2018 into the rich traditions of Chinese dance and martial arts, integrating styles such as Hung Kuen, Choy Lay Fut, and Fujian White Crane.
"Convergence is not just a performance; it is an evolution of our artistic journey,” Yang says. “It represents a break from our past, charting new courses and remoulding ourselves.
“This fusion of external movement and internal consciousness alters our physical condition and deepens our exploration of truth and beauty in performance.
". . . We are excited to bring this new expression of strength and beauty to Sydney, appealing to an audience that values both innovation and tradition."
Convergence not only highlights the skills of its dancers, including principal dancers Ho Ho-fei and Ong Tze Shen, but also incorporates innovative digital art. This melding of ancient cultures with modern music, video projections, and lighting creates a surreal, dream-like atmosphere.
Hong Kong Dance Company was established in 1981 and has about 30 dancers. It describes itself as “nurtured in the cultural tradition of China combined with the creativity of contemporary art, to impress the world with Chinese dance of Hong Kong character".
The production has already garnered international acclaim, including an award for "Outstanding Online Production" at the 23rd Hong Kong Dance Awards. Critics have praised the production's execution and unique style. US Dance Magazine remarked on the "dizzying speed and cut-glass specificity" of the dancers, describing their performances as "downright thrilling."
The company will perform three performances over July 12 and 13 at the Semour Centre.