LCSD’s “Cheers!” Series to present family entertainment programmes from December to March next year (with photos)

　　The "Cheers!" Series, presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will be held from December to March next year. Eight local and visiting performing groups are invited to give audiences fabulous family entertainment programmes, covering dance, music, puppetry and music theatre performances, which are ideal for friends and families to celebrate fun-filled winter festivities together. 
 
　　"Släpstick" from the Netherlands will make its Hong Kong debut with "Schërzo", a performance blending music and comedy elements. With virtuosic musicianship and hilarious physical language, the five musicians of the troupe will deliver an absurd and entertaining musical feast for all ages. Australia's Windmill Theatre Company will present the puppetry show "Grug and the Rainbow". Grug is a character from the much-loved picture books by the Australian writer Ted Prior. The grassy little friend will return to Hong Kong to meet his fans and toddlers and embark on a heart-warming adventure full of surprises.

　　The performances prepared by local performing groups are also exciting. Local a cappella group Boonfaysau will kick off the series with a new a cappella musical, "Peter and the Wolf", featuring a rearranged version of Prokofiev's classic symphonic tale for children by local composer Austin Leung, as well as original Cantonese songs with lyrics written by renowned lyricist and film director Norris Wong, to delight the audience. In the Musical Fairy Tales: "Goldipegs & The Three Cellos", Premiere Performances of Hong Kong will bring together local music ensembles and musicians to present three musical fairy tales, from Ferdinand the Bull who enjoys flowers, to the Frog Prince awaiting his royal kiss, and Goldipegs who enters the home of a family of cellos and discovers amazing music.
 
　　"The Snowman & The Bear" concert will return this winter, with the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong performing live on stage alongside the screening of the two Christmas animated films accompanied by storytelling and singing, bringing audiences into a dreamlike winter world. In the "A Christmas Wish for Peace On Earth" concert, the Hong Kong Oratorio Society will collaborate with Hong Kong Strings and a number of musicians to present a variety of classical Christmas pieces, classic Christmas carols, and a new Christmas suite by local composer Alfred Wong.
 
　　Local puppet theatre troupe Make Friends With Puppet will stage a children's puppet musical "Winter in Sweetyland 2024 – Snowy Dreams", which uses cute puppets and original music to tell a touching story of Cotton Candy, who decides to find winter for saving Sweetyland, sending audiences into a sweet and cosy world of candy. Featuring dancers from the professional tap dance company R&T (Rhythm & Tempo) and child performers, "Papa is My New Classmate" is a tap theatre show that combines tap dance and local folk songs to bring back memories and feelings for grown-ups while introducing children to the music of an earlier era.

　　For programme dates, venues and ticket prices of the "Cheers!" Series, please see the Annex. Tickets will be available from October 28 (Monday) onwards at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Various discount schemes, such as package discount and family package discount, will be offered. For programme enquiries and discount schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/f_entertainment/groups_1809.html.