The choreographer, whose ballet version of The Wizard of Oz will be performed in Hong Kong for the first time, starting from August 30, says he read and reread the original book by L. Frank Baum, was introduced to Victor Fleming’s 1939 film version at a young age, and later became “obsessed” with the 1978 adaptation The Wiz, starring Michael Jackson and Diana Ross.
I want audiences to fall in love with ballet all over again
The version of the Wizard of Oz that will be performed by Hong Kong Ballet, where Webre has been artistic director since 2017, is based on his 2018 version which, quite aptly, premiered in Dorothy’s home state, Kansas.
This, the Asian premiere, has added arts tech enhancements such as facial motion capture and 3D projections (which is why it is funded by the Hong Kong government’s Arts Technology Funding Pilot Scheme).
Inspired by the casting of then 16-year-old Judy Garland in the classic Hollywood film, Webre’s Dorothy is also youthful, but also “old enough to understand complicated emotions, like love, fear and anxiety”, Webre says.
At the time of writing, the cast list has yet to be confirmed but Webre tells the Post that his Dorothy will be a bit more mature than in the book, and has a sense of humour as well as strength of character and pureness of heart.
Apart from Dorothy, he has also made the characters of the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion purposefully “funny, outrageous, and over the top”, aided by costumes designed by Liz Vandal.
The Lion, for example, is fashioned as someone who thinks of himself as a 1960s/70s rock star, complete with gold chains and a fur coat, inspired by the psychedelic soul band Sly and the Family Stone.
Meanwhile, the Wicked Witch has a villainous demeanour and sports leather costumes and a whip reminiscent of a character from a 90s house music rave, conveying that she is “evil, but also quite glamorous”.
Webre says he keeps the energy levels high throughout the show, and compares the journey along the Yellow Brick Road to a rock concert tour, with Dorothy accompanied by a bunch of “roadies”.
The show’s music director, Matthew Pierce, with whom Webre has had a close, collaborative relationship, has provided a lively score that will be performed by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.
“Kansas has a kind of American West sound, influenced by Aaron Copland and the fiddle music of the Appalachian Mountains,” Webre says.
The Hong Kong Ballet has been sharing The Wizard of Oz experience with visitors to Airside, the shopping centre in Kai Tak.
Until September 4, visitors can immerse themselves in a mixed-reality and virtual-reality journey highlighting different ballet techniques such as pirouettes, lifts, and arabesques, with the dancers appearing as if they were right in front of participants.
“I want audiences to fall in love with ballet all over again,” Webre says.
The Wizard of Oz, Hong Kong Ballet, Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, August 30, 7.30pm, Aug 31-Sept 1, 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Tickets available on Urbtix.
Hong Kong Ballet x AIRSIDE “Oz Life Journey” Immersive Arts Tech Ballet Experience, Gate33 Gallery, Shop 312, Airside, 2 Concorde Road, Kai Tak, daily, 11am to 9pm. Until September 4.