2017-10-09

Hong Kong New Wave @ PAMS 2017 Presenting the Best of HK Contemporary Theatre and Xiqu Works

Led by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC), a 100-member strong delegation comprising of representatives from Hong Kong performing arts sector will take part in the Performing Arts Market in Seoul (PAMS) from 14 to 19 October 2017 to showcase the diversity and vibrancy of Hong Kong performing arts to overseas arts festival directors, venue operator, arts agents and arts organisation, with an aim to help Hong Kong artists to establish overseas network and explore exchange and performing opportunities. This is the second time for the HKADC to take part in PAMS in a full scale. Its first debut was made in 2015 which had attained satisfactory results.

PAMS is one of the most important contemporary performing arts markets in Asia. This year, HKADC will feature the excellence of Hong Kong contemporary theatre and xiqu productions. The outstanding works of Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop, Cinematic Theatre Ltd., Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop and Théâtre de la Feuille will be presented to the audiences of PAMS 2017.

Full versions of Backstage by Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop, Watching U… by Cinematic Theatre Ltd. and ArenA by Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop are enlisted in the PAMS Link programme, while Papa of Théâtre de la Feuille is selected to be staged at the PAMS International Showcase.

Moreover, HKADC will organise PAMS Night – HK, a networking party to help local artists and arts groups to connect with their overseas counterparts for future exchange and collaborations. PAMS Night – HK is supported by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) of the HKSAR Government.

In addition, HKADC will also provide funding support to 20 small-and-medium-sized arts groups’ representatives and individual arts practitioners to participate in PAMS’ activities, with an aim to broaden their artistic horizon.

Major participations of HKADC in PAMS 2017 include:

1.	PAMS Link (three full-length performances)
(A)	Backstage by Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop It is a story taken place at the backstage. With theatre, interaction session and Cantonese opera excerpts, Backstage leads the audiences to experience the mystery of this traditional art form.
	Date : 15 and 16 October 2017 (Sunday and Monday) Time : 7:30 pm Venue : Minsong Art Hall 2 (6F, Jungwon Building, 185 Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul)
(B)	Watching U… by Cinematic Theatre Ltd. The story begins when a young philosophy student leases his open-studio unit to a young woman. The real and unreal collided in this play that inspires the audience to reflect on what is real? What is unreal?
	Date : 17 and 18 October 2015 (Tuesday and Wednesday) Time : 7:30 pm Venue : Minsong Art Hall 1 (6F, Jungwon Building, 185 Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul)
(C)	ArenA by Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop A Cantonese opera story using contemporary aesthetic elements about how Lau Bong betrays Hon Seon’s trust. The play reflects the deep fear rooted in the Chinese society. Date : 21 and 22 October 2017 (Saturday and Sunday) Time : 6:00 pm (21 October); 3:00 pm (22 October) Venue : Minsong Art Hall 2 (6F, Jungwon Building, 185 Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-gu,Seoul)
2.	PAMS International Showcase – HK Performance
	To showcase the uniqueness and diversity of contemporary theatre in Hong Kong, Théâtre de la Feuille will perform their work Papa. The physical theatrical work will explore the relationship between modern family members. Date : 16 October 2017 (Monday) Time : 6:30 pm Venue: Hakchon Theatre, 46, Daehak-ro 12-gil, Jongno-gu , Seoul
3.	PAMS Night - HK
	Participants from different regions are invited to attend the networking party with an aim to establish networks between local artists and overseas arts organisations and agents. Singer-songwriter Jing Wong and Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop will perform at the occasion, showcasing the diversity of Hong Kong performing arts.
4.	Booth exhibition
	A booth will be set up in the PAMS exhibition by HKADC to promote Hong Kong performing arts. Local Performing Arts Directory will be distributed to introduce the artistic and cultural characteristics and the works of local performing arts groups and artists.

For daily updates of HKADC’s participation in PAMS, please visit our website www.hkadc.org.hk and Facebook page (@HKADCpage).

About PAMS (Performing Arts Markets in Seoul) 2017

Since 2005, PAMS has been held annually in Seoul, Korea during October as an important arts expo for contemporary performing arts in Asia. It attracts more than 1,500 performing arts professionals and arts agencies from all over the world every year. Organised by Korea Arts Management Service, PAMS strives to provide a platform for networking and exchange of artistic visions, the latest trends of performing arts between arts practitioners from Korea and abroad. It also facilitates creations and productions of performing artworks and their promotion abroad. Apart from performances, symposiums, talks and networking activities, a series of extension arts events will also be held during PAMS.

More information of PAMS 2017 is available at the website http://pams.or.kr.