The Hong Kong International Shakespeare Festival (HKISF) will take place from June 5 to 16, 2024, at Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District.
The festival is organized by the Tang Shu-wing Theatre Studio in collaboration with the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD). It is financially supported by the HKSAR Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme.
The Opening Ceremony and Press Conference was held on March 27 at the Lau Bak Livehouse, Freespace. Notable guests in attendance included Tang Shu Wing, the Artistic Director of HKISF; Paul Tam, the Executive Director of Performing Arts, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority; and various actors and choreographers involved in the festival productions. International choreographers and directors joined the press conference online.
Debuting in Hong Kong this year, the HKISF brings the renowned European Shakespeare Festivals to Asia. It aims to promote international cultural exchange and offers a sensational new experience to local audiences. The Festival features performances by troupes from Hong Kong, Romania, Italy, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Collaborative programs are integral, with exciting partnerships between Hong Kong directors and overseas actors, collaborations between local and international troupes, and artistic collaborations across various regions.
The HKISF presents five theater productions in Freespace over two weeks, namely, "King Lear", "Lady Macbeth", "Macbettu", "Henry V Man and Monarch" and the opera "Roméo et Juliette" by Opera Hong Kong, which will be held in mid-May.
HKISF Artistic Director Tang Shu Wing states, "Shakespeare can be compared to a chef in charge of exquisite dining banquets, offering perpetual nourishment and delight to his guests. His masterpieces stay young and will always be remembered."
HKISF presents innovative interpretations of Shakespeare's classics, addressing contemporary issues such as gender relations, communication, and cultural diversity.
Shakespeare Festivals have a significant global presence. The Tang Shu-wing Theatre Studio has been actively involved in international Shakespeare events, including the 2012 World Shakespeare Festival and the "Hong Kong International Shakespeare Performance Exchange" in 2022.
Early bird tickets will be available from April 2 to 21 exclusively on art-mate (art-mate.net). Public sale will start from April 26 on URBTIX (https://www.urbtix.hk/).
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