Dutch Music Troupe Släpstick to Debut Schërzo in Hong Kong This December

Award-winning Dutch music theatre troupe Släpstick to make Hong Kong debut with "Schërzo" in December

Internationally renowned Släpstick, a group of five musicians from the Netherlands, will perform in Hong Kong for the first time with their unique and delightful "Schërzo" at the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's "Cheers!" Series in mid-December. With virtuosic musicianship, hilarious physical language and unique comedic flair, the troupe will deliver an absurd and entertaining musical feast that allows audiences to appreciate classical music with a playful twist.

In classical music, a scherzo is a vigorous, light, or playful composition, typically comprising a movement in a symphony or sonata. Släpstick takes it literally, blurring the unique physical comedy and musical talent to create a new "Schërzo". The five members of the troupe are all accomplished musicians who will perform masterpieces from Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, Saint-Saens, Gershwin and many more. The five musical comedians will turn the seemingly highbrow classical concert into a whimsical show. Apart from playing multiple oddball instruments, they will also perform works in unexpected but humorous ways. Adding ventriloquism, puppetry, tap dancing, and even Släpstick's popular "21 masterpieces in one minute", all will be rolled up into one fun-filled performance. The production has wonthe Seoul Arts Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Best International Production Award at the South Korea Daegu International Musical Festival.

Släpstick is a five-member music theatre troupe known for its members' outstanding musical capabilities, hilarious antics andquintessentially Dutch wit. The troupe is dedicated to blending innovative concepts with traditional inspirations, and creating performances that encapsulate a whirlwind of musical genres from across the globe.Its productions have toured in many places including the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, France, Denmark and New Zealand. The troupe has also won numerous awards includingthe Spirit of the Fringe Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Johan Kaart Prijs of the Dutch National Theatre Prize, and the Comedic Arts Prize of the Kulturstiftung Sparkasse am Niederrhein.

"Cheers!" Series: "Schërzo" by Släpstick (The Netherlands) will be held at 7.30pm on December 13 (Friday), at 3pm and 7.30pm on December 14 (Saturday), and at 3pm on December 15 (Sunday) at the Theatre of Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre. Each performance will be followed by a meet-the-artist session (conducted in English with Cantonese interpretation). Tickets priced at $280 and $340 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. The "Cheers!" Series offers various discount schemes, such as package discounts and family package discounts. For programme enquiries and discount schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visitwww.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/multi_arts/programs_1764.html.

The programme will feature a "Music & Comedy Workshop" (conducted in English with Cantonese interpretation), in which participants will meet members of Släpstick face to face and havethe opportunity to learn their performance and acting skills. The workshop will be held at 11am on December 15 (Sunday) at the Theatre of Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre. Tickets priced at $180 are now available at URBTIX. For details, please refer to the above-mentioned website.

Another highlight in the "Cheers!" Series is "Grug and the Rainbow" by Windmill Theatre (Australia), which will be held from February 28 to March 2 next year. For details of the "Cheers!" Series programmes, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/f_entertainment/groups_1809.html.

Award-winning Dutch music theatre troupe Släpstick to make Hong Kong debut with "Schërzo" in December Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Award-winning Dutch music theatre troupe Släpstick to make Hong Kong debut with "Schërzo" in December Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Award-winning Dutch music theatre troupe Släpstick to make Hong Kong debut with "Schërzo" in December Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Award-winning Dutch music theatre troupe Släpstick to make Hong Kong debut with "Schërzo" in December Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CA launches public consultation on renewal of domestic pay television programme service licence

The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:

The Communications Authority (CA) announced today (January 2) the commencement of a one-month public consultation on the renewal of a domestic pay television programme service (pay TV) licence.

The pay TV licence of Now TV Limited (Now TV) is due to expire on September 25, 2027 (Note). Now TV has submitted its licence renewal application to the CA. In accordance with the requirements under the Broadcasting Ordinance (Cap. 562) (BO) and established procedures, the CA will carry out a detailed assessment of the licensee's past performance and collect public views through various means, including carrying out a one-month public consultation, an opinion survey and a televised online public hearing (TOPH). The CA will take into account the licensee's performance and renewal proposal, views of the industry and public, the latest market developments etc, and make recommendations on the licence renewal application to the Chief Executive in Council in September 2026.

Members of the public may give their views through various means, including submitting views in writing during the period from January 2 to February 1, 2026 (by email: paytv-pc@ofca.gov.hk, fax: 2507 2219 or mail to: Office of the Communications Authority (Attn: Broadcasting Section 32), 20/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong); and/or by participating in the TOPH which will be held on January 17, 2026. For the TOPH registration arrangements and the details of the licensee's service (including compliance records and investment plans), please visit the dedicated webpage on the CA's website.

The pay TV licence of Now TV is valid for 12 years from September 26, 2015, to September 25, 2027. As required by the BO, Now TV has submitted its licence renewal application to the CA no less than 24 months before the expiry of the validity period of its licence. The CA will carry out a review exercise for the renewal application in accordance with the BO and established procedures.

Note: The Chief Executive in Council renewed the licence of PCCW Media Limited in December 2014, with a validity period of 12 years from September 26, 2015, to September 25, 2027. PCCW Media Limited was renamed as Now TV Limited with effect from September 2024.

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