Latest news with #WestKowloon
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"Life of Pi" Drama Debuts in Hong Kong in June
From the novel and film, stepping into the West Kowloon Cultural District's Xiqu Centre, combining exquisite puppetry and magical theater, sweeping multiple international theater awards. HONG KONG, May 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --The original London West End production of *Life of Pi*, which has garnered five Laurence Olivier Awards and three Tony Awards, will be presented in Hong Kong for the first time by China Foreign Cultural Affairs Group Ltd. The performances will take place at the Grand Theatre of the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) from June 26 to 29. Audiences can now purchase tickets for this Hong Kong engagement through various platforms, with prices starting at a limited $288, allowing them to experience this 'theatre miracle' that transcends the pages of the book and the screen! Details of "Life of Pi" Drama "Life of Pi" - The Original London West End DramaDate: 26 June 2025 (Thursday) to 29 June 2025 (Sunday)Afternoon Session: 2:30pm (28 & 29 June)Evening Time Scene: 7:30pm (26, 27, 28 & 29 June)Venue: Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre, WKCD (88 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon)Tickets: $1188, $988, $888, $688, $588, $288Concessionary prices for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 or above (A/$832, B/$692, C/$622, D/$482) Purchase of regular-price tickets is subject to the presentation of a valid identity document upon admission. Tickets of the original London West End production of "Life of Pi" Drama are currently available for purchase through the official website of the Hong Kong West Kowloon Cultural District Theatre Centre, Cityline, Art-mate, Pop-ticket, Damai and Gewara. Official Ticketing Website: Ang Lee's Oscar-winning film of the same name has received numerous international awards. The original philosophical fable, Life of PI, has sold over 15 million copies worldwide since its release in 2001 and won the Booker Prize in 2002. The 2012 film adaptation, directed by Ang Lee, garnered four Oscars. In 2019, this legendary classic was brought to life in a theatrical production by the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, UK. This reinterpretation introduced a new dimension to the art of theatre, transitioning from paperback and cinema to the prestigious West End theatres in London. The production achieved unparalleled success, winning five Olivier Awards and three Tony Awards for Best New Play, Best Choreography, and Best Lighting Design. Additionally, it received five British Drama Awards and the WhatsOnStage Awards for Best New Play, solidifying its status as the most successful play of its kind in London. It has earned recognition as the undisputed 'dark horse' of the theatre scene. A widely acclaimed masterpiece, it has received five-star reviews from major media outlets in both the UK and the US. The New York Times described it as a "It's a wonder! life of pi delivers magic. the roaring you hear at the show's end is the sound of a standing ovation.", The Times praised, "The puppetry, from Finn Caldwell and Nick Barnes, is breathtaking". There were numerous positive comments on social media, with one user declaring it "the ultimate theatre experience that makes your brain dizzy, your heart beat wildly, and your soul tremble." This is undoubtedly proof that *The Fantastic Adventures of Young Pi* is not only a masterpiece of art but also a journey that connects human emotions. Stage Magic, Puppetry, and an Unmatched Immersive Experience One of the most remarkable aspects of the play "Life of PI" is the innovative puppetry that brings various animal characters to life, including the Bengal tiger Richard Parker, hyenas, orangutans, and zebras. Under the skilled control of three puppeteers, every breath and movement of the puppets is infused with wildness and vitality. The *Guardian* newspaper in the UK praised the performance, and the audience echoed this sentiment, stating, three puppeteers made the tiger so wild and spiritual that I even forgot it was a puppet! puppeteers to become the first to win an Olivier Award, marking a significant milestone in the history of theatre. Through a multi-layered dynamic setup and high-precision projection technology, the vastness of the ocean is realistically recreated on stage. Light and shadow simulate the movement of the sea, the dinghy bobbing in the enormous waves, the movement of fish, and the galaxy in the night sky. This creates a stunning audiovisual experience that immerses the audience, making them feel as though they are struggling alongside the protagonist, Pi, in the stormy Pacific Ocean and sharing in his fantastical journey. A Stage Miracle That Transcends Both Page and Screen The story of Pi, a young Indian boy who loses his family in a shipwreck and shares a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, along with other animals, exemplifies the essence of the original narrative. In this confined space, Pi faces a race against time to survive, weaving a tale that blends fantasy with reality. Through the ingenious use of a dual narrative—rich with fantastical animal fables while confronting the harsh and brutal truths of human nature—the film immerses the audience in Pi's inner world. It poignantly portrays his struggle and growth in a desperate situation, prompting viewers to gain a deeper understanding of self-identity and the meaning of survival. Additionally, it encourages the audience to reflect on these profound themes. Art Feast Brings Light to the Cultural Landscape of the Greater Bay Area The Hong Kong leg of 'The Fantastic Drift of Young Pi' is produced by China External Culture Group Limited and operated by Beijing One World Culture Communications Co., Ltd. , a content company of China Performing Arts Theatre Line, which is a subsidiary of China Performing Arts Theatre Line. The Hong Kong leg of 'The Fantastic Drift of Young Pi', which has been touring the world since 2023, spreads all over North America, and then embarks on its journey to Asia, with Hong Kong as one of the stops, not only creating a major event for the Hong Kong art scene, but also providing an opportunity for the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau Bay Area to celebrate the cultural landscape. It has not only created a major event in Hong Kong's art scene, but also injected new vigour into the art market of the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Greater Bay Area. Whether you are touched by the philosophical ideas of the novel, shocked by the visual impact of the film, or are encountering the story for the first time, you should come to the WKCD Centre from 26 to 29 June to face life's choices together with 'Pi' through this drama, and experience a magical journey intertwined with emotions and philosophical ideas. About Beijing One World Culture Communications Co., Ltd. Beijing One World Culture Communications Co., Ltd. is the content division of the China Performing Arts Theatre Line, operating under China Foreign Culture Group Co., Ltd. The company is primarily responsible for the introduction, production, operation, and marketing of theatrical content. It is also one of the earliest organizations in the country to engage in the commercialization of arts and cultural performances. Since 2008, the company has been fully committed to the development of China's musical theatre industry. It has signed a series of world-renowned productions, including classic musicals adapted into Chinese. The company has successfully produced and promoted Chinese versions of these musicals, touring dozens of cities across the country. From 2015 onwards, the company introduced and operated original Broadway versions of world-class musicals, such as Phantom of the Opera, the Tony Award-winning epic musical, and participated in the Chinese productions of other notable musical theatre projects. Download images: Media enquiry: Yannis Wong 5593 6199 Official Ticketing Website: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Beijing One World Culture Communications Co., Ltd.
South China Morning Post
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong Palace Museum holds first fully digital show on Forbidden City
The Hong Kong Palace Museum has launched its first entirely digital show, creating reimagined versions of its Beijing sister site's exhibits, and a beloved pet cat, to use in interactive displays packed with visual effects. The show includes projections of moving images of the Forbidden City icons such as dragons, phoenixes, lotus flowers, peaches, egrets and ocean waves – all rendered at immense scale for visitors to enjoy. The event, titled 'The Ways in Patterns: An Immersive Digital Exhibition from the Palace Museum', is being held in the West Kowloon Cultural District and uses technology to refashion a wide array of motifs and designs used in the former royal residence's architecture, ceramics and embroidered textiles. 'This is our first entirely digital show,' Maggie Cheng, the Hong Kong Palace Museum's head designer, said. Technology took the centre stage for this exhibition, contrasting with past displays that focused on highlighting historical artefacts, she added. She noted that the museum's sister site in Beijing had a collection comprising 1.86 million pieces, with only 1 per cent of them ever going on display at any one time for an exhibition.
South China Morning Post
24-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
The enduring legacy of Rolex's 70-year-old GMT-Master
Visitors to West Kowloon Cultural District's Freespace in Hong Kong between May 26 and June 8 can catch an exhibition on one of Rolex's most important models: the GMT-Master. The watch celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, an occasion that marks one of watchmaking's most elegant answers to the problem of tracking multiple time zones. The watch and its namesake GMT complication gain their name from the addition of an extra watch hand that tracks time on a 24-hour index. The GMT hand can be set to one's home time zone, or to Greenwich Mean Time – also referred to as UTC or Zulu Time. The Longines Zulu Time from the 1920s also allowed for multiple time zones, but the 24-hour index of these watches was located within the minute track rather than on a rotating outer bezel. Armin Strom Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition. Photo: Armin Strom The GMT complication was mainly seen on pilot's wrists in the mid-20th century – indeed, Rolex developed the GMT-Master together with the historic airline Pan American Airways. Today however, anyone who travels frequently might consider getting one. 'Nowadays, we are travelling on planes more than ever,' says Helbert Tsang, co-founder of watch community The Horology Club, 'and the GMT-Master still looks pretty much as it did when it was first launched in the 50s. What has changed since then is the reason people buy and wear watches. What used to be an essential tool (for fliers) is now a luxury item or a status symbol. People working in front of a screen all day may still imagine themselves as a globetrotter or a commercial pilot landing at different destinations every day, and a GMT watch is the perfect prop for them to live out that fantasy.' The GMT complication's history, combined with its surprisingly modern utility, has led to its consistent popularity. Unlike dive watches or chronographs – the functions of which have since been supplanted by computers – wearing a GMT watch means one can still use the complication to track time for loved ones in a different part of the world, or to recall important international meetings at a glance. Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante 2025. Photo: Handout Luxury brands now put design at the forefront of GMT watches to appeal to collectors. At Watches and Wonders in Geneva this year, manufacturers made their own efforts to show multiple time zones elegantly. Rolex interpreted their modern GMT-Master II with green Cerachrom and tiger iron dials. Panerai, Armin Strom and Parmigiani Fleurier chose to add additional complications with GMTs (respectively, perpetual calendar, simultaneous dual time display and rattrapante). Tag Heuer, known for its racing chronographs and divers, added a Twin-Time model, which tracks the second time zone along a two-coloured internal 24-hour index, to its Carrera pieces. Nomos Glashütte developed a new automatic movement and introduced a world time complication to their Club collection.•
South China Morning Post
24-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
The enduring legacy of Rolex's 70-year-old GMT-Master: it revolutionised time zone tracking and brands like Tudor and Panerai are adding extra complications with GMTs to appeal to collectors
Visitors to West Kowloon Cultural District's Freespace in Hong Kong between May 26 and June 8 can catch an exhibition on one of Rolex's most important models: the GMT-Master. The watch celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, an occasion that marks one of watchmaking's most elegant answers to the problem of tracking multiple time zones. The watch and its namesake GMT complication gain their name from the addition of an extra watch hand that tracks time on a 24-hour index. The GMT hand can be set to one's home time zone, or to Greenwich Mean Time – also referred to as UTC or Zulu Time. The Longines Zulu Time from the 1920s also allowed for multiple time zones, but the 24-hour index of these watches was located within the minute track rather than on a rotating outer bezel. Armin Strom Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition. Photo: Armin Strom Advertisement The GMT complication was mainly seen on pilot's wrists in the mid-20th century – indeed, Rolex developed the GMT-Master together with the historic airline Pan American Airways. Today however, anyone who travels frequently might consider getting one. 'Nowadays, we are travelling on planes more than ever,' says Helbert Tsang, co-founder of watch community The Horology Club, 'and the GMT-Master still looks pretty much as it did when it was first launched in the 50s. What has changed since then is the reason people buy and wear watches. What used to be an essential tool (for fliers) is now a luxury item or a status symbol. People working in front of a screen all day may still imagine themselves as a globetrotter or a commercial pilot landing at different destinations every day, and a GMT watch is the perfect prop for them to live out that fantasy.' The GMT complication's history, combined with its surprisingly modern utility, has led to its consistent popularity. Unlike dive watches or chronographs – the functions of which have since been supplanted by computers – wearing a GMT watch means one can still use the complication to track time for loved ones in a different part of the world, or to recall important international meetings at a glance. Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante 2025. Photo: Handout Luxury brands now put design at the forefront of GMT watches to appeal to collectors. At Watches and Wonders in Geneva this year, manufacturers made their own efforts to show multiple time zones elegantly. Rolex interpreted their modern GMT-Master II with green Cerachrom and tiger iron dials. Panerai, Armin Strom and Parmigiani Fleurier chose to add additional complications with GMTs (respectively, perpetual calendar, simultaneous dual time display and rattrapante). Tag Heuer, known for its racing chronographs and divers, added a Twin-Time model, which tracks the second time zone along a two-coloured internal 24-hour index, to its Carrera pieces. Nomos Glashütte developed a new automatic movement and introduced a world time complication to their Club collection.•
South China Morning Post
23-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
Rolex celebrates GMT-Master 70th anniversary with exhibition
It may take years for Rolex to create a new watch model, but when it does, rest assured that it will be part of the crown's stable for decades to come, as in the case of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. Advertisement From May 26 to June 8, the storied timepiece will be the focus of an exhibition at Freespace, in the West Kowloon Cultural District . Titled 'Time Zone to Time Zone', the show invites visitors to explore the legacy of a watch that has transcended its aviation roots to become a symbol of prestige as much, if not more, as its air-faring forebear. Stuart Roosa's GMT-Master pictured during the Apollo 14 mission in 1971, accompanied by a message from the astronaut. Photo: Rolex Born in 1955, the GMT-Master was Rolex's answer to a new era of travel. As jetliners shrank the world and passengers crossed multiple time zones in hours, the need for a reliable, easy-to-read second time zone became paramount. The GMT-Master's signature two-colour 24-hour bezel and an additional hour hand allowed wearers to track home time and local time simultaneously – a breakthrough that quickly popularised the watch among pilots, explorers and travellers alike. There's plenty to keep both ardent Rolex collectors and casual watch enthusiasts engaged, from a showcase of key milestones in the evolution of the GMT-Master and its successor, the GMT-Master II , to a curated selection of vintage models preserved by Rolex's Heritage Department, highlighting the watch's technical innovations and design refinements over seven decades. From the original Plexiglas bezel to the modern ceramic variants, and from the early calibre 1036 movement to today's calibre 3285, the GMT-Master's evolution mirrors that of Rolex, and the wider watch world's, in terms of precision and durability. The Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II was introduced in 1982 with an independently adjustable hour hand. Photo: Rolex Then there are the leaps in craftsmanship such as the watch's luminescent Chromalight display, which was enhanced in 2021 for superior legibility, and the return of the Jubilee bracelet in 2018. The GMT-Master II's independently adjustable hour hand, introduced in 1982, also marked a pivotal moment, allowing travellers to adjust local time without stopping the watch – a feature that has cemented its status as the ultimate tool watch.
