No Limits 2023

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The exhilarating “No Limits” programme exploring the world of inclusive arts will kick off its fifth edition on 18 February 2023, featuring a series of in-venue and online performances and activities by outstanding local and international artists with diverse abilities. Tickets for in-venue performances are on sale at URBTIX now while free online recorded shows and screenings will be available on the “No Limits” official website from 15 March 2023.

“No Limits”, co-presented by the Hong Kong Arts Festival and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, seeks to nurture a barrier-free environment that promotes inclusiveness and understanding through the arts.

“‘No Limits’ is a unique platform for celebrating the power of the arts to transcend boundaries and limits,” Ms Flora Yu, Executive Director, Hong Kong Arts Festival, said. “The fifth edition of ‘No Limits’ in 2023 continues to salute the finest works created by artists who have overcome immense challenges. Their works not only highlight their artistic achievements, but also reflect their resilience and determination.”

In-venue Programmes
The fifth edition of “No Limits” opens with the Sound of My Heart vocal recital by Michelle Siu, a talented up-and-coming young soprano living with visual impairment. Gifted with a pure and versatile voice, Siu was admitted to the Junior Music Programme of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) at the age of 12. She was a recipient of a Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarship in 2017 and later graduated from the Department of Music at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She is currently studying for a Master of Music at the HKAPA. Her appearance at “No Limits” marks her debut solo concert. Demonstrating her diverse repertoire, Siu will perform classical pieces, musical numbers and pop songs that delve into romantic relationships and her feelings about love.

Following his non-verbal production, Mother, at the inaugural “No Limits” in 2019, internationally renowned Japanese theatre director Kuro Tanino returns with another original and powerful drama. Set in a coastal village, Fortress of Smiles is centred on two adjacent homes, an old lady with dementia and her family. The work poignantly explores daily existence and deeper connectedness, with simultaneous action in side-by-side sets and homemade meals actually cooked on stage adding to the production’s remarkable ambience.

Get ready to chill out and join in the harmonious proceedings in Connie Wong – A Wonderful Journey. In this relaxed performance, the Hong Kong pianist plays pieces that speak to her successful quest for a musical career and optimism for a bright future. Wong was born with just three full fingers and underwent multiple operations on her hands as a child. Here, she will perform world and gospel music as well as new arrangements of classical works, including crossovers featuring the Chinese Sheng, together with talented musicians from the medical field, protégé Eunice Kan, and mentor Dr Mary Wu. Audience participation will also be integrated into the presentation. A memorable encounter for all the family.

In Gravity (and other attractions), dancers Lolo (hearing) and Tiki (deaf) meet on a subway train. Through movement, sign language, and poetic audio description, they throw fresh light on ever-present yet unseen forces, such as attraction, in a thought-provoking dance-theatre duet.

Another show highlighting the lived experiences of disabled children and adults is The Super Special Disability Roadshow from Scotland’s Birds of Paradise, the country’s first touring theatre group employing disabled and non-disabled actors. Deploying the theatre company’s characteristic wit, insight, and authenticity, this zesty work examines the differences that exist in how disabled people identify themselves, in particular clashes spurred by the generation gap.

In addition, not to be missed is Adrian Anantawan in Concert with Nicholas McCarthy featuring Canadian violinist Adrian Anantawan in Hong Kong. Born without a right hand, Anantawan has powered ahead to a career as a professional musician. Prior appearances have included playing at the White House and in two Olympic Games opening ceremonies. For this concert, Anantawan will be joined by British classical pianist Nicholas McCarthy, the sole left-hand-only pianist to graduate from the Royal College of Music since its founding in 1882. The pair will perform an eclectic programme of works by Sadie Harrison, Mozart, Massenet, and Malcolm Arnold. The concert will also feature the world premiere of a piece commissioned by “No Limits” from contemporary US composer Molly Joyce, whose own left hand was permanently damaged in an accident as a child.

Online Programmes
Moving to online performances, there is a further chance to see and hear Adrian Anantawan when the violinist teams up with US pianist Leigh McAllister in a pre-recorded showcase. McAllister was born without a left elbow and just three fingers on her left hand. She now specialises in collaborative piano, a field combining performance and accompaniment. In the Beyond Limits Education Concert, the two artists will play works by Beethoven, Schumann, and Molly Joyce.

An illuminating selection of screen ventures also awaits. In imperfect, theatre director Regan Linton and renowned documentary-maker Brian Malone kick out stereotypes to capture the creativity of 20-plus actors with diverse physical, cognitive, intellectual and emotional abilities. The multi-award-winning film is centred around Phamaly Theatre Company, the actors’ professional performing arts group, and preparations for a rip-roaring version of the popular musical Chicago. Following cast members as they attend auditions, perform in the production’s premiere, and participate in post-performance reflection, the documentary is both riveting and revealing.

More cinematic magic is in store with two far-sighted films by Australia’s Back to Back Theatre & Back to Back Pictures and its ensemble of neurodiverse actors. The group was the winner of the International Ibsen Award 2022, one of the most prestigious theatre awards globally. In short film ODDLANDS, the company’s much-heralded debut screen production, a post-apocalyptic future not so far removed from our own is explored, along with the human dilemmas it brings. Watch out as well for Back to Back’s first feature-length production, SHADOW. The brilliant black comedy examines the dangers posed by artificial intelligence and people’s response to this challenge.

More cinematic magic is in store with two far-sighted films by Australia’s Back to Back Theatre & Back to Back Pictures and its ensemble of neurodiverse actors. The group was the winner of the International Ibsen Award 2022, one of the most prestigious theatre awards globally. In short film ODDLANDS, the company’s much-heralded debut screen production, a post-apocalyptic future not so far removed from our own is explored, along with the human dilemmas it brings. Watch out as well for Back to Back’s first feature-length production, SHADOW. The brilliant black comedy examines the dangers posed by artificial intelligence and people’s response to this challenge.

Outreach Programmes
Complementing the performances, the Jockey Club “No Limits” Education and Community Programme is designed to enrich inclusive arts in the community. The outreach programme has received excellent feedback from students, teachers, and other beneficiaries, reaching over 30,000 young people in the past four years and offering more opportunities for people with diverse abilities to appreciate, embrace, and take part in the arts.

This year, both online and offline outreach activities are available: an online Roundtable Discussion on Greater Inclusion in the Arts – Cross-sector Collaboration; a Music Performance and Sharing by Lee Shing in “Piano and Dreams”; a 3D Animation and E-Learning Platform for primary and secondary school students focused on the award-winning French short film, Louis’ Shoes; and a series of No Limits Plus activities, including meet-the-artists, lectures, workshops, and masterclasses.

“No Limits” has also initiated the Pilot Seeding Programme, “Sing for Life”. The tailor-made project aims to transform established local singers and social workers into mentors to help people living with dementia enjoy the revitalising benefits of singing. Running over six months, “Sing for Life” will be guided by Maartje de Lint, the inspiration behind the Dutch programme “Singing in Care”. In addition, the Hong Kong project will be filmed for a documentary, which will be made publicly available on the “No Limits” website.
For further details, visit: www.nolimits.hk/en/outreach/

ABOUT THE ARTIST / ORGANISER

Co-presented by the Hong Kong Arts Festival and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, “No Limits” strives to create a barrier-free environment enabling artists and audiences to explore and promote inclusiveness through the arts. The fifth “No Limits” runs from February to May 2023, featuring in-venue and online programmes by international and Hong Kong artists of diverse abilities. Programmes cover film, music, dance, and theatre, and defy constraints and boundaries. The project also invests heavily in arts education for young people, offering experiences designed to nurture students’ interest in the arts and enable them to share the joy of creativity together with people of diverse abilities.