The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) has announced a deep collaboration with the renowned watch brand Rolex, which will become the exclusive watch partner for the West Kowloon Performing Arts. Together, they will promote the development of performing arts in Asia and nurture emerging talents. This partnership will span various fields, including dance, music, drama, and traditional Chinese opera, further solidifying the West Kowloon Cultural District’s position on the international arts scene.
This collaboration will kick off with the Tea House Theatre Festival program Yue · Music · Tea Rhythm launching in July. The show will be performed by the newly established Tea House Rising Stars Theatre Troupe from West Kowloon, with renowned Cantonese opera master Law Kar Ying serving as the artistic planner and director. Audiences can enjoy a 90-minute immersive opera experience in the ambiance of a traditional Chinese tea house, complemented by fragrant tea and dim sum, allowing them to fully embrace the authentic listening culture of Hong Kong.
The new season’s performances incorporate several classic Cantonese opera segments, including the famous work by Tang Die Sheng, The Flower of the Emperor’s Daughter, featuring Anyu, and The Tale of the Purple Hairpin, showcasing the delicate emotions and narrative aesthetics within traditional opera. Additionally, for the first time, a brand new adaptation of the legend of the female general Fan Li Hua, titled The Blaze of Fate, will be introduced, allowing the audience to explore local Cantonese opera creation from a fresh perspective.
Maxim Lamarre, CEO of Rolex Greater China, highlighted that the brand has always championed creativity and human achievement. This collaboration perfectly aligns with the values of performing arts, aiming to promote the heritage of Cantonese opera and artistic innovation through support for Hong Kong as a cultural hub. Taman Siu-ming, the Executive Director of Performing Arts at the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, remarked that Rolex’s commitment to craftsmanship and precision resonates with West Kowloon’s pursuit of artistic excellence, ensuring that their partnership will provide a broader development platform for local creations.
For many years, Rolex has actively promoted global cultural heritage through the Art Heritage – An Unceasing Journey (Perpetual Arts Initiative). This collaboration further extends to the Hong Kong theatrical stage. This partnership not only highlights the brand’s commitment to the local art ecosystem but also demonstrates West Kowloon’s long-term goal of developing Hong Kong into an international cultural exchange hub. Moving forward, both parties will continue to expand their collaboration, supporting more creative and cross-disciplinary programs to inject new vitality into Hong Kong’s culture.
