In the world of Chinese rock, the local band Beyond has united fans across Hong Kong, the mainland, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Though disbanded, Beyond's influence has not ceased. Their timeless songs resonate through generations and continue to inspire art. Hong Kong Ballet choreographer-in-residence Ricky Hu Song-wei and his wife, Mai Jing-wen, weave Beyond's classics into their new dance piece, "Martlet," paying a heartfelt tribute to the legendary band on stage.
"Martlet" will serve as the grand finale of Hong Kong Ballet's new production "Glam Rock," performed at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts from April 10 to 12. At the convergence of Beyond's passion and ballet's grace, fans will rediscover their fond memories of the band through dance. The program will also feature two distinct contemporary dance works: "Strangelove," inspired by the 1980s British electronic music pioneers Depeche Mode, and "Mercury Half-Life," inspired by the legendary rock band Queen. The three works encapsulate wild rock in ballet dance, delivering an unprecedented sensory experience.
As a local pop icon, Beyond embodies a generation of dreams, love, and perseverance: the song Sky is a youthful anthem symbolizing freedom and never giving up; Like You narrates the struggle between love and aspirations; Wishing You Well is Wong Ka-keung's heartfelt tribute to his late brother Wong Ka-kui; Dead Romance Part 1, inspired by the famous case of the serial killer Lam Kor-wan, uses instrumental music to craft a chilling melody. Never confined to romantic themes prevalent in contemporary pop music, each track by Beyond conveys the band's ideals and soulful rebellion.
Hong Kong Ballet revisits local and European classics by fusing Hong Kong rock classics and ballet. While "Martlet" draws inspiration from Beyond's timeless hits, "Strangelove" – which was choreographed by Greek artist Andonis Foniadakis and premiered in Hong Kong in 2024 to standing ovations – is inspired by Depeche Mode's sci-fi futurism and pulsating electronic rhythms. For this choreography, Foniadakis selected classics like Waiting for the Night, People Are People, and Enjoy the Silence.
British rock band Queen, whose style fuses progressive rock, hard rock, heavy metal, opera, and pop, is regarded as the epitome of glam rock. The iconic four-beat rhythm of their hit, We Will Rock You, remains etched in the memories of many. The Asian premiere of “Mercury Half-Life,” choreographed by American artist Trey McIntyre, weaves together 15 of Queen's iconic songs – including We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Somebody to Love. The performance also infuses these familiar songs with tap dance, inviting fans to relive Queen's legacy through choreography.
