20
May
Paul Taylor – 100% in English
Paul Taylor – 100% in English
Paul makes fun of the French and they love it. Or they tell him to go back to England! After 3 sell-out bilingual world tours, Paul shares his story of being a British expat in France, this time 100% in English. Hold onto your berets!
Personal Bio
Paul Taylor is a British comedian who has been living in France since 2009. His trademark is poking fun at the French and the French lifestyle, as well as at himself, by sharing his offbeat expat experiences, including linguistic misunderstandings and cultural mix-ups.
In 2016, he released his first bilingual show, "#FRANGLAIS," to phenomenal success. He followed it up with his second and third shows, "So British (ou presque)" and "Bisoubye". With this trilogy of bilingual shows, Paul has captivated tens of thousands of spectators with sold-out performances in the most prestigious of venues in France and around the world.
Alongside his stage performances, Paul has also ventured into creating video content. Spotted early in his career by the French TV channel Canal+, he developed and produced the hit TV show “WTF France," which catapulted him into the limelight. Paul’s online videos now have hundreds of millions of views, and he has over 1.5 million followers on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Paul makes fun of the French and they love it. Or they tell him to go back to England! After 3 sell-out bilingual world tours, Paul shares his story of being a British expat in France, this time 100% in English. Hold onto your berets!
Personal Bio
Paul Taylor is a British comedian who has been living in France since 2009. His trademark is poking fun at the French and the French lifestyle, as well as at himself, by sharing his offbeat expat experiences, including linguistic misunderstandings and cultural mix-ups.
In 2016, he released his first bilingual show, "#FRANGLAIS," to phenomenal success. He followed it up with his second and third shows, "So British (ou presque)" and "Bisoubye". With this trilogy of bilingual shows, Paul has captivated tens of thousands of spectators with sold-out performances in the most prestigious of venues in France and around the world.
Alongside his stage performances, Paul has also ventured into creating video content. Spotted early in his career by the French TV channel Canal+, he developed and produced the hit TV show “WTF France," which catapulted him into the limelight. Paul’s online videos now have hundreds of millions of views, and he has over 1.5 million followers on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Date:20 May (Tue)
Venue:HK Jockey Club Amphitheatre
16
May
01
Jun
Paradise of the Suck
Please refer to Chinese
Date:16 May (Fri) - 01 Jun (Sun)
Venue:Academy Lyric Theatre
07
May
10
May
Academy Musical: What the Buddha Said
Inspired by Original Chinese Novel Journey to the West & Anthony Chan’s play of the same name
Date:07 May (Wed) - 10 May (Sat)
Venue:Academy Lyric Theatre
09
Apr
11
Apr
"You've Got A Friend" Concert
Given the importance of mental health, the Hong Kong Mental Wellness Association will present a charity event — the "You've Got A Friend" concert. This event will take place from 9 April 2025 to 11 April 2025. It will feature Brian Chow, a media veteran, as the director and host of the talk show, and Susan Wong, a HiFi diva. They will perform together through singing and chatting to convey positive messages about emotional and mental well -being.
With soothing songs, real-life cases sharing, and interaction between performers and the audience, the audience will immerse themselves in a wonderful musical and spiritual journey. This will help people explore the real source and meaning of happiness, and further inspire them to overcome the hard times of life.
With soothing songs, real-life cases sharing, and interaction between performers and the audience, the audience will immerse themselves in a wonderful musical and spiritual journey. This will help people explore the real source and meaning of happiness, and further inspire them to overcome the hard times of life.
Date:09 Apr (Wed) - 11 Apr (Fri)
Venue:Rita Tong Liu Drama Theatre
04
Apr
06
Apr
Frida
The magical life and journey of an iconic artist
One of the most important painters in the 20th century, the Mexican-born Frida Kahlo is a blazing symbol of artistic subjectivity, female liberation and the magical world of surrealism. Colombian-Belgian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa (HKB’s Coco Chanel) produces a visually stunning Frida that tells the iconic artist’s multifaceted life story of triumph and tragedy with rich imagery from her bold paintings and deeply personal self portraits.
Seamlessly fusing the classical and the contemporary, this vivid work majestically showcases Ochoa’s inventive partnering as dancers weave a tale of tempestuous affairs, heart-wrenching struggle and complex, uncompromising art. Set against Peter Salem’s enchanting original score with vibrant touches of mariachi, flamenco and jazz music, the compelling characters in Frida’s magical world, including her husband and famed muralist Diego Rivera, are exuberantly brought to life.
Frida pays a hauntingly beautiful tribute to a visionary trailblazer who painted her version of the world against staggering odds and left an unforgettable social and artistic legacy.
One of the most important painters in the 20th century, the Mexican-born Frida Kahlo is a blazing symbol of artistic subjectivity, female liberation and the magical world of surrealism. Colombian-Belgian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa (HKB’s Coco Chanel) produces a visually stunning Frida that tells the iconic artist’s multifaceted life story of triumph and tragedy with rich imagery from her bold paintings and deeply personal self portraits.
Seamlessly fusing the classical and the contemporary, this vivid work majestically showcases Ochoa’s inventive partnering as dancers weave a tale of tempestuous affairs, heart-wrenching struggle and complex, uncompromising art. Set against Peter Salem’s enchanting original score with vibrant touches of mariachi, flamenco and jazz music, the compelling characters in Frida’s magical world, including her husband and famed muralist Diego Rivera, are exuberantly brought to life.
Frida pays a hauntingly beautiful tribute to a visionary trailblazer who painted her version of the world against staggering odds and left an unforgettable social and artistic legacy.
Date:04 Apr (Fri) - 06 Apr (Sun)
Venue:Academy Lyric Theatre
30
Mar
Pi-hsien Chen Piano Recital
Pi-hsien Chen’s dedication to new piano music evolved from personal collaborations with some of the most important composers of the 20th century, including John Cage, Pierre Boulez and György Kurtág. For her return to Hong Kong, she has selected a programme true to her motto: “Be happy with strange things.” Bach’s Partita No 4 is complemented by the Third Piano Sonata by Boulez, which explores aleatoric music, while Alban Berg’s Op 1 relies heavily on Schoenberg’s idea of “developing variation”.
Chen’s piano recital provides a unique opportunity to experience an eclectic mosaic of pieces that are rarely performed in concert. Her remarkable and insightful interpretations will showcase her undisputed mastery of a vast piano repertoire.
Approx. 2 hrs incl. one interval
Further programme information: https://visit.hkaf.org/qmdm6c
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Chen’s piano recital provides a unique opportunity to experience an eclectic mosaic of pieces that are rarely performed in concert. Her remarkable and insightful interpretations will showcase her undisputed mastery of a vast piano repertoire.
Approx. 2 hrs incl. one interval
Further programme information: https://visit.hkaf.org/qmdm6c
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Date:30 Mar (Sun)
Venue:Academy Concert Hall
26
Mar
29
Mar
Emma Rice─Wuthering Heights
Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë’s epic story of love, revenge and redemption, is re-imagined in an audaciously inventive new stage adaptation by the National Theatre, Wise Children, Bristol Old Vic and York Theatre Royal, helmed by the multi-award-winning British theatre director Emma Rice.
Led by her singular vision and deep personal connection with the source material, Rice re-examines this haunting tale of revenge through a contemporary lens and transforms it into an exhilarating theatrical experience. Featuring a cast of 11 and a magical blend of live music, comedy, puppetry, dance and projections, this ambitious retelling serves as cautionary tale that warns how cruelty towards others can affect the world for decades to come.
Approx. 2 hrs 50 mins incl. one interval
Performed in English with Chinese surtitles
This production contains strong language and depictions of violence
Recommended for ages 12 and above
Further programme information: https://visit.hkaf.org/f5m8jl
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Led by her singular vision and deep personal connection with the source material, Rice re-examines this haunting tale of revenge through a contemporary lens and transforms it into an exhilarating theatrical experience. Featuring a cast of 11 and a magical blend of live music, comedy, puppetry, dance and projections, this ambitious retelling serves as cautionary tale that warns how cruelty towards others can affect the world for decades to come.
Approx. 2 hrs 50 mins incl. one interval
Performed in English with Chinese surtitles
This production contains strong language and depictions of violence
Recommended for ages 12 and above
Further programme information: https://visit.hkaf.org/f5m8jl
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Date:26 Mar (Wed) - 29 Mar (Sat)
Venue:Academy Lyric Theatre
21
Mar
Annette Chien Embracing Benefit Concert
Event Description
Pleased refer to Chinese
Pleased refer to Chinese
Date:21 Mar (Fri)
Venue:HK Jockey Club Amphitheatre
21
Mar
23
Mar
Crime and Punishment
Dostoevsky’s psychological thriller about a young man’s journey towards redemption
Young, impoverished and possessed by self-righteousness, a former student commits murder in the name of alleviating human misery, but ends up with a tormented conscience. He later meets a prostitute with a pure soul, who shines a beacon of light on his path. Will he spiral deeper into anguish, or will he finally resurrect himself in a moment of truth?
A masterpiece by Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment traces the protagonist’s psychological journey and moral dilemmas after he commits the ultimate crime. Probing the relationships between the individual and society, morality and power, and religion and freedom, the drama revolves around the protagonist’s battle with himself and those around him, illuminating the conflicts between radicalism and morality, and free will and the will of God.
Adapted by Phillip Breen, an Associate Artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and directed by renowned Hong Kong director Desmond Tang together with Breen, the 2025 Hong Kong version embodies a contemporary touch and features a powerhouse local cast.
Led by Ben Yuen, named Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Horse Film Awards, who plays the relentless inspector in pursuit of righteousness, the 15-strong ensemble of stage and film/TV actors will bring to life this epic drama full of poignant characters and dark humour. Get ready to experience a thrilling theatrical reflection on good and evil that will set your heart ablaze.
Commissioned and produced by the Hong Kong Arts Festival
Young, impoverished and possessed by self-righteousness, a former student commits murder in the name of alleviating human misery, but ends up with a tormented conscience. He later meets a prostitute with a pure soul, who shines a beacon of light on his path. Will he spiral deeper into anguish, or will he finally resurrect himself in a moment of truth?
A masterpiece by Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment traces the protagonist’s psychological journey and moral dilemmas after he commits the ultimate crime. Probing the relationships between the individual and society, morality and power, and religion and freedom, the drama revolves around the protagonist’s battle with himself and those around him, illuminating the conflicts between radicalism and morality, and free will and the will of God.
Adapted by Phillip Breen, an Associate Artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and directed by renowned Hong Kong director Desmond Tang together with Breen, the 2025 Hong Kong version embodies a contemporary touch and features a powerhouse local cast.
Led by Ben Yuen, named Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Horse Film Awards, who plays the relentless inspector in pursuit of righteousness, the 15-strong ensemble of stage and film/TV actors will bring to life this epic drama full of poignant characters and dark humour. Get ready to experience a thrilling theatrical reflection on good and evil that will set your heart ablaze.
Commissioned and produced by the Hong Kong Arts Festival
Performed in Cantonese with Chinese and English surtitles
This production contains strong language, smoking scenes and depictions of violence
Recommended for ages 16 and above
23 Mar 2:30pm performance is an accessible performance with audio description in Cantonese. Please call 2777 1771 to reserve the audio description device in advance
Approx. 3 hrs including one interval
Further programme information: https://visit.hkaf.org/qgjo27
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Date:21 Mar (Fri) - 23 Mar (Sun)
Venue:Academy Lyric Theatre
13
Mar
15
Mar
TIME by Ryuichi Sakamoto + Shiro Takatani
TIME is a masterful collaboration between Oscar-winning composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, sought-after multidisciplinary artist Shiro Takatani and internationally renowned dancer Min Tanaka. Together, they have crafted a poignant theatrical dreamscape that transports “time” beyond reality.
With references to and conceptual roots in Mugen Noh, a category of Japanese Noh theatre, TIME transports the audience into a riveting dreamscape. Featuring an original score by Sakamoto, captivating visual design by Takatani and a heartrending performance by Tanaka, TIME unfolds through a series of moving images on a watery stage, accompanied by music and sounds created specifically for this work.
TIME was Sakamoto’s final theatre piece and it seamlessly fuses performance and installation to deliver a meditative theatrical experience like no other.
Approx. 1 hr 20 mins with no interval
Occasional narration in Japanese with Chinese and English surtitles
Latecomers will not be admitted
Further programme information: https://visit.hkaf.org/p9i6wi
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With references to and conceptual roots in Mugen Noh, a category of Japanese Noh theatre, TIME transports the audience into a riveting dreamscape. Featuring an original score by Sakamoto, captivating visual design by Takatani and a heartrending performance by Tanaka, TIME unfolds through a series of moving images on a watery stage, accompanied by music and sounds created specifically for this work.
TIME was Sakamoto’s final theatre piece and it seamlessly fuses performance and installation to deliver a meditative theatrical experience like no other.
Approx. 1 hr 20 mins with no interval
Occasional narration in Japanese with Chinese and English surtitles
Latecomers will not be admitted
Further programme information: https://visit.hkaf.org/p9i6wi
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Date:13 Mar (Thu) - 15 Mar (Sat)
Venue:Academy Lyric Theatre
19
Feb
(Wed)
23
Feb
(Sun)
The 13-Storey Treehouse
“Wow!…goes to the edge of the ridiculous to get a laugh.” SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
Adapted from the multi-award winning book by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
Andy Griffiths’ & Terry Denton’s best-selling book comes to life on stage for children 6-12 and their adults!
Would you please welcome to the stage… Andy and Terry!
Yes that’s right. Today's the day Andy and Terry are going to bring their stories to life in their first EVER play – except they forgot to write it!
Where will they find flying cats, a mermaid, a sea monster, an invasion of monkeys, and a giant gorilla? Here is your chance to see the first show in the award-winning ‘Treehouse’ series with the return of the one and only, super-famous, ultra-brilliant, runaway success, The 13-Storey Treehouse. We take you right back to where it all began.
Following sold out seasons at the Sydney Opera House and theatres across the country, the play based on Andy Griffiths’ and Terry Denton’s best-selling book returns to the stage AND YOU’RE INVITED!
Adapted by Richard Tulloch (The Book of Everything, Bananas in Pyjamas), this hugely successful play is brought to life by a seriously funny cast with magical moments of theatrical wizardry and a truckload of imagination!
“My eight year old co-reviewer loved the show… has the kids engaged and amused from the outset.”< THE AUSTRALIAN
For children aged 6 and above and their families.
The running time is approximately 60 minutes with no interval
There is no minimum age for this performance and all audience members must have their own ticket.
Performances for schools are available during weekday mornings.
For more information, please call Kamun on 2547 7150 or email Kamun.Yau@aba-productions.com for more information.
Adapted from the multi-award winning book by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
Andy Griffiths’ & Terry Denton’s best-selling book comes to life on stage for children 6-12 and their adults!
Would you please welcome to the stage… Andy and Terry!
Yes that’s right. Today's the day Andy and Terry are going to bring their stories to life in their first EVER play – except they forgot to write it!
Where will they find flying cats, a mermaid, a sea monster, an invasion of monkeys, and a giant gorilla? Here is your chance to see the first show in the award-winning ‘Treehouse’ series with the return of the one and only, super-famous, ultra-brilliant, runaway success, The 13-Storey Treehouse. We take you right back to where it all began.
Following sold out seasons at the Sydney Opera House and theatres across the country, the play based on Andy Griffiths’ and Terry Denton’s best-selling book returns to the stage AND YOU’RE INVITED!
Adapted by Richard Tulloch (The Book of Everything, Bananas in Pyjamas), this hugely successful play is brought to life by a seriously funny cast with magical moments of theatrical wizardry and a truckload of imagination!
“My eight year old co-reviewer loved the show… has the kids engaged and amused from the outset.”< THE AUSTRALIAN
For children aged 6 and above and their families.
The running time is approximately 60 minutes with no interval
There is no minimum age for this performance and all audience members must have their own ticket.
Performances for schools are available during weekday mornings.
For more information, please call Kamun on 2547 7150 or email Kamun.Yau@aba-productions.com for more information.
Date: 19 Feb (Wed) - 23 Feb (Sun)
Venue: Rita Tong Liu Drama Theatre
01
Mar
(Sat)
02
Mar
(Sun)
HIPPOLYTUS National Theatre of Greece - Athens Epidaurus Festival Lykofos
The clash between human will and divine power, brought to life by Greece’s top theatre talents in a contemporary take on Euripides’ classic play
Greece’s premier theatre company revisits one of mythology’s greatest tragic heroes in Hippolytus, a daring production that puts a contemporary spin on an ancient classic about the existential conflict between human will and divine power.
Based on Euripides’ classic play, Hippolytus is centred on its titular protagonist, the illegitimate son of Theseus and an avowed upholder of chastity, whose moralistic rejection of carnal desire offends Aphrodite, the goddess of love. To punish him, the vengeful goddess makes his stepmother fall in love with him, marking the beginning of his downfall.
The production focuses on Aphrodite, who watches with voyeuristic pleasure as mortals become playthings of her vengeful whims. Her gaze becomes ours as the characters are stripped bare, their naked bodies conveying the explosiveness, lust and lasciviousness—but also the purity—of the human race.
By juxtaposing the binaries of abstinence and lust, the sacred and the profane, and disgrace and redemption, Hippolytus delves unflinchingly into complex psychological and moral issues with a modern sensibility while asking the age-old question: who is responsible for tragedy, gods or men?
This 2023 production is helmed by the distinguished stage director and artistic director of the Athens Epidaurus Festival Katerina Evangelatos with the support of a superb creative team and a 20-strong cast of actors, chorus and musicians. It’s a large-scale Greek tragedy rarely seen on Hong Kong stage and is not to be missed!
Greece’s premier theatre company revisits one of mythology’s greatest tragic heroes in Hippolytus, a daring production that puts a contemporary spin on an ancient classic about the existential conflict between human will and divine power.
Based on Euripides’ classic play, Hippolytus is centred on its titular protagonist, the illegitimate son of Theseus and an avowed upholder of chastity, whose moralistic rejection of carnal desire offends Aphrodite, the goddess of love. To punish him, the vengeful goddess makes his stepmother fall in love with him, marking the beginning of his downfall.
The production focuses on Aphrodite, who watches with voyeuristic pleasure as mortals become playthings of her vengeful whims. Her gaze becomes ours as the characters are stripped bare, their naked bodies conveying the explosiveness, lust and lasciviousness—but also the purity—of the human race.
By juxtaposing the binaries of abstinence and lust, the sacred and the profane, and disgrace and redemption, Hippolytus delves unflinchingly into complex psychological and moral issues with a modern sensibility while asking the age-old question: who is responsible for tragedy, gods or men?
This 2023 production is helmed by the distinguished stage director and artistic director of the Athens Epidaurus Festival Katerina Evangelatos with the support of a superb creative team and a 20-strong cast of actors, chorus and musicians. It’s a large-scale Greek tragedy rarely seen on Hong Kong stage and is not to be missed!
Performed in Greek with Chinese and English surtitles
This production contains nudity and depictions of violence
Recommended for ages 16 and above
Approx. 1 hr 30 mins with no interval
Further programme information: https://visit.hkaf.org/d9gk0x
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Date: 01 Mar (Sat) - 02 Mar (Sun)
Venue: Academy Lyric Theatre
02
Mar
(Sun)
HKAPA 40th Anniversary Open Day
The Academy will present its 40th Anniversary Open Day on Sunday March 2 this year, filled with over a hundred free performing arts events prepared by students and faculty from six Schools on the Wanchai Main Campus and the Béthanie Landmark Heritage Campus in Pokfulam of the Academy.
Date: 02 Mar (Sun)
Venue: Academy Atrium
02
Mar
(Sun)
Elisso Virsaladze Piano Recital
Legendary Georgian-born piano virtuoso Elisso Virsaladze makes a welcome return to the Hong Kong Arts Festival in 2025. Acclaimed as a superlative interpreter of Chopin and Schumann, she has a similar passion for Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt and various modern Russian composers, who feature among her many recordings. Don’t miss this chance to experience the magic of an icon of piano music history!
Approx. 1 hr 50 mins incl. one interval
Further programme information: https://visit.hkaf.org/su2hn7
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Approx. 1 hr 50 mins incl. one interval
Further programme information: https://visit.hkaf.org/su2hn7
Subscribe for free e-news from Hong Kong Arts Festival
Date: 02 Mar (Sun)
Venue: Academy Concert Hall
05
Mar
(Wed)
09
Mar
(Sun)
Thunderstorm by Cao Yu
A titan of Chinese theatre will take the Festival by storm
Best known for his first play Thunderstorm, Cao Yu (1910-96) is widely regarded as the Thunderstorm by Cao Yu founding father of modern Chinese drama. Often compared to Shakespeare, Ibsen, Chekhov and Eugene O'Neill, Cao Yu achieved his canonical status in China due to his powerful portrayal of people and exploration of human complexity, and his works continue to touch the hearts of 21st-century audiences.
Thunderstorm is set in the home of an industrialist in northern China, where a family has gathered with all the inexorable fatality of a Greek drama. It’s a play full of tension, where the illusion of love and power intertwines with the destiny of a woman yearning for freedom in a patriarchal family. Over the 24 hours in which the action takes place, these tensions mount as the inevitable fate swiftly approaches.
One of the most popular dramatic works of the past century, Thunderstorm has been adapted into film, dance and opera, including film director Zhang Yimou’s Oscar-nominated film Curse of the Golden Flower.
Come and discover this titan of Chinese theatre in the 2025 HKAF commission of Thunderstorm, directed by veteran Beijing director Li Liuyi and featuring a stellar cast of celebrated Chinese actors, with set and costume design by award-winning Hong Kong art director William Chang.
Commissioned by the Hong Kong Arts Festival
Best known for his first play Thunderstorm, Cao Yu (1910-96) is widely regarded as the Thunderstorm by Cao Yu founding father of modern Chinese drama. Often compared to Shakespeare, Ibsen, Chekhov and Eugene O'Neill, Cao Yu achieved his canonical status in China due to his powerful portrayal of people and exploration of human complexity, and his works continue to touch the hearts of 21st-century audiences.
Thunderstorm is set in the home of an industrialist in northern China, where a family has gathered with all the inexorable fatality of a Greek drama. It’s a play full of tension, where the illusion of love and power intertwines with the destiny of a woman yearning for freedom in a patriarchal family. Over the 24 hours in which the action takes place, these tensions mount as the inevitable fate swiftly approaches.
One of the most popular dramatic works of the past century, Thunderstorm has been adapted into film, dance and opera, including film director Zhang Yimou’s Oscar-nominated film Curse of the Golden Flower.
Come and discover this titan of Chinese theatre in the 2025 HKAF commission of Thunderstorm, directed by veteran Beijing director Li Liuyi and featuring a stellar cast of celebrated Chinese actors, with set and costume design by award-winning Hong Kong art director William Chang.
Commissioned by the Hong Kong Arts Festival
Performed in Putonghua with Chinese and English surtitles
Recommended for ages 15 and above
Approx. 3 hrs including one interval
Further programme information: https://visit.hkaf.org/ctsydw
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Date: 05 Mar (Wed) - 09 Mar (Sun)
Venue: Academy Lyric Theatre
