Theatre and all that jazz
Shortly before the handover of Hong Kong in 1997, there was widespread insecurity among artists as to how the vibrant cultural scene of the city would evolve and advance under the new government. Especially concerned were the organisers of the Hong Kong Fringe Festival, which since 1983 had taken place every spring for three weeks. Based in a former dairy factory in Ice House Street, it attracted a great number of national and international performance artists and musicians. The continuity of the festival in the old dairy farm factory premises, which was built in 1890, lacked a legal basis.
At the last moment, a local celebrity, Benny Chia, founded a club under UK law two months ahead of the handover, and its members financed the lease and operating costs of the art and event space through membership fees. But the building was in a very dilapidated state. For six years the building was renovated room by room, creating a space for drama, dance, music, and contemporary art that had previously not existed in Hong Kong. To date Benny Chia has organised over 30 festivals, 25 plays (of which he has written six), and 15 exhibitions in the old building (which is next to the Foreign Correspondents’ Club).
Info
Address 2 Lower Albert Road, Central, Tel +852 2521 7251, www.hkfringeclub.com | Public Transport MTR Island Line (blue), Tsuen Wan Line (red), Central Station, Exits D1, D2, or G; Buses 13, 23A, or 26; bus stop The Foreign Correspondents’ Club – Fringe Club | Hours 10am–10pm| Tip The rooftop terrace offers exceptionally good views over Bishop’s House.
The ice house was originally used for storing the ice blocks brought in from Boston, with which the wealthy elite of Hong Kong cooled their champagne. Groups of Brits clad in winter coats used to gather there to experience winter once again while drinking cups of tea. Today, the Fringe Club offers emerging young artists a platform with its two theatres, the jazz-cabaret-room, and the gallery. During the day, guests and club members can enjoy a cup of coffee in the pleasant atmosphere of The Arts Café down in the old cold storage area, or round off the evening in the Arts Bar on the rooftop terrace, where quite often you can meet artists face to face after a show.
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