A journey along the ancient Silk Road will unfold through a new ballet production, as Hong Kong Ballet prepares to premiere Dunhuang: In Search of Light, a new work inspired by the murals and imagery of the Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gansu province.
The production will make its world premiere from Oct 16 to 18 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, marking the company's first collaboration with the Dunhuang Academy.
Created by Hong Kong Ballet resident choreographers Song Wei Ricky and Mai Jingwen, the work is inspired by the visual world of Dunhuang and adapted from Hermann Hesse's literary classic, Siddhartha.
It follows a young man's quest for enlightenment through temptation, love and growth, guided by celestial Feitian (Flying Apsaras). The production fuses classical ballet with cutting-edge visuals and living frescoes to celebrate personal awakening, wisdom, and compassion.
The premiere is part of Hong Kong Ballet's 2026/27 season, themed "Hong Kong Bling", which was unveiled on Sept 21.
The company also announced that it will become the first resident performing arts company of the WestK Performing Arts Centre, a major new cultural venue in Hong Kong's West Kowloon Cultural District, set to open in summer 2027.
The long-term partnership is intended to expand opportunities for artistic creation, education and community engagement, while bringing together dance, theater, music, technology and other art forms.
The company's artistic director, Septime Webre, said the partnership would allow the company to open its facilities to more people in Hong Kong and strengthen connections between the city, the Chinese mainland and the wider world.
The new chapter will begin with another ambitious production, Bruce Lee: Hong Kong Legend, which celebrates Hong Kong's legendary martial artist and global icon, who inspired generations with his martial arts prowess and deep philosophy.
Created and directed by Webre, with a libretto by Tony, Grammy and Obie award-winning writer David Henry Hwang, and costumes and set design by Academy Award-winning designer Tim Yip, this production blends classical orchestra, Chinese instruments, and contemporary pop into a dynamic score to celebrate Bruce Lee's enduring spirit and cultural legacy.
Internationally acclaimed choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's runaway hit Coco Chanel: The Life of a Fashion Icon will also be revived in 2027.
Its annual Christmas production, The Nutcracker, will return with Tchaikovsky's timeless score, alongside Le Corsaire: The Pirate Hunter!, which will delight audiences of all ages with virtuoso dancing and a tale of pirates.
