One of the most loved and most read stories in the world, Alice in Wonderland unleashes the full power of our imagination, with characters and scenes that are astonishing and endearing at the same time. To adapt this story, with its magical moments — like Alice shrinking and growing — for a ballet production seems well near impossible, but it has been done to perfection by Hong Kong Ballet. And over three days this week (21-23 February 2025), Singapore can enjoy the production’s stunning stagecraft and performances.
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay presents the second edition of da:ns focus – Ballet by the Bay, with ALICE (in wonderland) by Hong Kong Ballet as the centerpiece.
When: 21 Feb 2025, Fri, 7.30pm; 22 Feb 2025, Sat, 3pm & 7.30pm; 23 Feb 2025, Sun, 3pm
Where: Esplanade Theatre
Duration: 2hrs (Intermission: 1 x 20mins)
Tickets: From SGD 28
The dance company is led by Artistic Director Septime Webre, an internationally recognised ballet director and choreographer of Cuban-American heritage. He joined Hong Kong Ballet as its Artistic Director in July 2017 after 17 years as Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet in Washington DC, United States.
Announcing the da:ns focus event, a media release by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay said: “Hong Kong Ballet, which last performed at Esplanade in 2004 as part of Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts, will be making a significant return after 20 years. This presentation will be the first featuring an Asian ballet company and a family-friendly production under the da:ns banner.”
It is important for us to showcase an Asian ballet company, offering the Singapore audience, especially the younger generation, a chance to see themselves represented on stage. A key highlight of this production will be its large cast of local children.
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
The media release said: “This da:ns focus presentation also coincides with the 160th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s novel Alice in Wonderland, allowing audiences to rediscover the classic tale through the vibrant, colourful, and imaginative staging by Septime Webre, Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet.”
The release quoted Septime Webre as saying: “I had goals going into the production, to have young people fall in love with ballet and to have the dancers challenged technically. I wanted the dancers to come out of the experience better dancers than going in… There is a lot of virtuosity in the production… it’s certainly entertaining, but it’s not there because it is entertaining. It is a metaphor. When a dancer can do amazing turns, jumps, these tricks that are super-human… we are sending to the audience a message that ‘life can be lived in its fullness… Go for the jugular in life, just go for it and you can be your best self.’”
The artistic director said: “I believe ballet fascinates and is loved worldwide because of its unique ability to convey extreme physicality and beauty through the human body, serving as a powerful affirmation of life and its boundless possibilities.”
