WESTK PERFORMING ARTS AND ROLEX SHOWCASE PROGRESS IN NURTURING LOCAL XIQU TALENT
By Anna LamMarket News
WESTK PERFORMING ARTS AND ROLEX SHOWCASE PROGRESS IN NURTURING LOCAL XIQU TALENT
WestK's Tea House Rising Stars Troupe demonstrates artistic development following masterclasses with leading Chinese opera masters Mao Weitao, Wen Yu-hang, Law Ka-ying and Kong Suet-lo
(8 September 2026, Hong Kong) WestK Performing Arts and Rolex, its Exclusive Timepiece, presented a special showcase at the Tea House Theatre in the Xiqu Centre, highlighting the progress of the Tea House Rising Stars Troupe following a series of intensive masterclasses with leading Chinese opera practitioners.
The event marked a key milestone in the partnership between WestK Performing Arts and Rolex which was launched in 2025. It reflects a shared commitment to developing high-quality performing arts programmes, nurturing local Xiqu talent and supporting the preservation and transmission of cultural heritage.
Officiating guests included Maxim Lamarre, Chief Executive Officer, Rolex Greater China; Jat Sew-tong, Chairman of the Performing Arts Committee, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA); Betty Fung, Chief Executive Officer, WKCDA; Joyce Ho, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Corporate Development), WKCDA; and Paul Tam, Executive Director, Performing Arts, WKCDA.
Earlier on, members of WestK Performing Arts' Tea House Rising Stars Troupe took part in intensive masterclasses led by distinguished Xiqu masters from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, supported by the Rolex Perpetual Arts Initiative. The mentors included renowned Yue opera artist and three-time Plum Blossom Award-winner Mao Weitao; distinguished Kunju and Peking opera artist Wen Yu-hang, and acclaimed Cantonese opera artists Law Ka-ying and Kong Suet-lo.
Through the rigorous training, the young performers developed their skills in vocal delivery, movement, character interpretation and overall stagecraft, while deepening their understanding of Xiqu's artistic heritage, aesthetic principles and expressive richness.
The programme also underscored the shared vision of WestK Performing Arts and Rolex to nurture the next generation of Xiqu artists, advance artistic excellence, and contribute to the continued development of local cultural heritage in Hong Kong.
ADVANCING DIVERSE ARTS PROGRAMMES WITH A FOCUS ON XIQU HERITAGE
Launched in June 2025, the partnership between WestK Performing Arts and Rolex encompasses a diverse range of performing arts programmes spanning dance, music and Xiqu. As the Exclusive Timepiece of WestK Performing Arts, Rolex has supported major programmes over the past year through its Perpetual Arts Initiative, including a performance by acclaimed jazz singer Dianne Reeves, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre's Lunar Halo, and the Tea House Theatre Experience series. Through these programmes, the partnership supports emerging artistic talent, fosters international cultural exchange, and contributes to the transmission of artistic excellence and cultural heritage.
Alongside the presentation of diverse art forms, the preservation and advancement of traditional Chinese opera is a key focus of this partnership. WestK Performing Arts and Rolex have collaborated on Xiqu talent development through masterclasses led by renowned masters, professional training and performance opportunities for emerging artists, as well as cross-regional exchange between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. These initiatives foster intergenerational knowledge transfer and contribute to the continuity and evolution of traditional Chinese performing arts.
Jat Sew-tong, Chairman of the Performing Arts Committee, WKCDA, said, "The achievements of this strategic partnership between WestK Performing Arts and Rolex underscore our shared commitment to artistic excellence and the long-term development of culture. By bringing together tradition and innovation, fostering cross-regional exchange, and presenting world-class performing arts programmes, this partnership not only enriches Hong Kong's cultural landscape, but also reinforces the city's and WestK's position as a leading international hub for arts and cultural exchange."
Paul Tam, Executive Director, Performing Arts, WKCDA, said, "This showcase marks an important milestone in WestK Performing Arts' collaboration with Rolex. By connecting Xiqu masters with emerging local artists, and combining professional training with stage practice, we are working to nurture a new generation of performers who are grounded in tradition yet open to innovation, ensuring the continued vitality of this important cultural art form."
Maxim Lamarre, Chief Executive Officer, Rolex Greater China, said, "For decades, Rolex has been deeply committed to supporting the transmission of artistic knowledge and cultural heritage worldwide through the Rolex Perpetual Arts Initiative. We are proud to witness these young Xiqu artists refine their craft under the guidance of masters and take to the WestK stage — an expression of Rolex's unwavering pursuit of excellence and dedication to meticulous craftsmanship."
STRENGTHENING HONG KONG'S ROLE AS A LEADING ARTS AND CULTURAL HUB IN ASIA
Guided by their shared pursuit of excellence, WestK Performing Arts and Rolex continue to support the long-term development in Hong Kong's performing arts sector through high-quality programming and talent development. The partnership contributes to a vibrant local arts ecosystem, while placing particular emphasis on the preservation and evolution of Xiqu so that this treasured form of Chinese cultural heritage continues to thrive and resonate with audiences in Hong Kong and internationally.
ABOUT THE WEST KOWLOON CULTURAL DISTRICT (WESTK)
WestK is one of the largest and most ambitious cultural hubs in the world and Hong Kong's new cultural tourism landmark, spanning 40 hectares alongside Victoria Harbour. WestK comprises a mix of landmark arts and cultural facilities, including world-class museums M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, intricately designed performing arts venues the Xiqu Centre and Freespace, the 11-hectare Art Park with a waterfront promenade, and the upcoming WestK Performing Arts Centre.
Hosting over 1,000 exhibitions, performances, programmes, and events each year, WestK provides a vital platform for both emerging and established artists. WestK welcomes more than 10 million visitors each year, evolving as the international cultural brand of Hong Kong and strengthening the city's strategic role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
ABOUT WESTK PERFORMING ARTS
WestK Performing Arts strives to establish WestK as a focal point for vibrant arts performances from Asia and beyond. Led by the vision of amplifying Hong Kong's creative potential and transcending boundaries in the performing arts, WestK Performing Arts curates an exciting and innovative annual programme that spans across dance, music, theatre, and Chinese opera in a range of artistic styles and traditions, presented through major arts and music festivals, as well as new, original commissions by local and international artists.
West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK) offers a growing portfolio of world-class performing arts venues, including the Xiqu Centre and Freespace, which opened in 2019, and the forthcoming WestK Performing Arts Centre, attracting top artists and arts groups from around the world for cross-cultural and interdisciplinary collaborations that fuel artistic advancements for the city and the region.
ROLEX AND THE ARTS
Rolex is committed to achievement in the arts, recognizing the crucial role they play in our world. With a dedication to craftsmanship and excellence, the brand upholds, cultivates and celebrates artists and institutions, connecting people around the world.
Over five decades, Rolex has formed deep partnerships with artistic visionaries, based on their commitment to the highest standards of creativity and performance. The first was renowned soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in 1976. Since then, the company's role has evolved to include many other Testimonees who are talented artists as well as relationships with institutions that foster outstanding artistic achievement.
Today, this ongoing endeavour has become known as the Perpetual Arts Initiative, a global framework encompassing architecture, cinema, dance, literature, music, theatre and visual arts. Through its expanding partnerships with talented artists and leading institutions, Rolex aims to celebrate and support those at the pinnacle of their disciplines, uphold cultural legacy and cultivate rising talents who will reach new heights in the future.
All Photo credits to West Kowloon Cultural District Authority
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