Annual 'Cheers!' Series to Feature Diverse Family Entertainment from November to February

LCSD's "Cheers!" Series to present family entertainment programmes from November to February next year

The annual "Cheers!" Series, presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will be held from November to February next year. Offering a variety of family entertainment programmes ranging from puppetry, acrobatics, circus, dance, music and theatre to multimedia shows and musicals, the series will showcase fabulous performances by nine visiting and local performing groups that will delight audiences during the festive season.

This edition of the series will feature five international award-winning productions and four local programmes. Starting the series in mid-November is the puppetry musical "Jack and the Beanstalk" (dubbed in Cantonese) by the Theater Company Hikosen from Japan. With delicate masks, beautiful costumes and ingenious stage props, the troupe will bring this beloved fairy tale to life, allowing children to join Jack on a fantastical adventure in climbing the beanstalk grown from magical beans and venturing into the giant's lair to rescue Princess Mary. This programme is also part of the third Asia+ Festival.

Circus and acrobatic performances have always been popular among young audiences and their families. Two performers from the Australian ARC Circus Dance Theatre will present the Asian premiere of the physical theatre production "A Bee Story" in early December. This comedic show blends elements of circus, acrobatics, music and dance to tell the story of Queen Bee and Worker Bee, who work together to rebuild their hive after it is destroyed by a bushfire, conveying a message on environmental conservation. The Japanese contemporary circus company, Cirquework, will perform "YOAH" in late January next year. The story follows a girl who overcomes the magic of evil wizards and finds her way home with the moon's guidance. A team of young acrobatic artists will skilfully integrate music, stage lighting and visual effects to redefine the concept of a circus, enabling audiences to enjoy a unique and captivating journey.

Many family-friendly puppet theatre works have incorporated multimedia elements to unleash imaginations and creativity in recent years. Xirriquiteula Teatre from Spain will present "Laika" in mid-January next year, employing shadow play, puppets, physical theatre, installations and film montage to tell the story of how Laika the stray puppy becomes the first space explorer to take on a thrilling adventure into the universe. The narrative encourages audiences to reflect on the human drive towards progress and the true meaning of life. A multimedia theatre show, "The Storyville Mosquito", will be staged in the opening season of the East Kowloon Cultural Centre in February next year. Canada's Kid Koala will film a real-time movie about a jazz-loving mosquito's musical adventure in the city in one take by using exquisite miniature puppets, sets and props alongside a live original music score, offering audiences a multifaceted experience combining cinema, theatre and a concert setting.

The above programmes will be accompanied by various extension activities such as meet-the-artist sessions, backstage tours or workshops. For details, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/f_entertainment/groups_1883.html.

Local art groups will also present a rich line-up of performances, including the Hong Kong Oratorio Society's concert "The Messiah" to commemorate the 340th anniversary of Handel, the Master of Oratorios; the multimedia children's puppet theatre "One Lap - 16000km: The Little Penguin's Way Home" by puppet theatre troupe Make Friends With Puppet; the non-verbal full mask theatre "Plastic Island" by Free-To-Play; and the tap theatre "The Making of the Perfect Mulan" by the professional tap dance company R&T (Rhythm & Tempo) with child performers. Details of these programmes will be announced on the above-mentioned website in due course.

For programme dates, venues and ticket prices of the "Cheers!" Series, please see the Annex. Tickets will be available from October 10 (Friday) onwards at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Various discount schemes, such as package discounts and family package discounts, will be offered. For programme enquiries and discount schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visit the above-mentioned website.

LCSD's "Cheers!" Series to present family entertainment programmes from November to February next year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LCSD's "Cheers!" Series to present family entertainment programmes from November to February next year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LCSD's "Cheers!" Series to present family entertainment programmes from November to February next year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LCSD's "Cheers!" Series to present family entertainment programmes from November to February next year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LCSD's "Cheers!" Series to present family entertainment programmes from November to February next year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming passenger was sentenced to 29 days of imprisonment by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (May 23) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming 58-year-old male passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point yesterday (May 22) and seized 1 981 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes from him. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $8,100, and the duty potential was about $6,500. He was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases