Theater Company Hikosen Returns to Hong Kong with Jack and the Beanstalk Puppetry Musical in November.

Japan's Theater Company Hikosen returning to Hong Kong with puppetry musical "Jack and the Beanstalk" in November

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has invited Japan's Theater Company Hikosen to return to Hong Kong with three performances of the puppetry musical "Jack and the Beanstalk" in November, kicking off its "Cheers!" Series this year. The company reimagines the beloved fairy tale with exquisite puppetry art, bringing a magical rescue adventure filled with courage and joy for kids and adults.This programme is also part of the third Asia+ Festival.

"Jack and the Beanstalk" tells the story of a treasure-obsessed giant living in a castle above the clouds who has captured the charming Princess Mary as his collection. Jack, a kind-hearted boy from humble beginnings, climbs a towering beanstalk grown from magical beans, venturing into the sky and deep into the giant's lair to rescue the princess. Along the way, he encounters many unexpected wonders, such as a golden harp that plays and sings by itself and a hen that lays golden eggs. After overcoming numerous challenges, Jack rescues Mary successfully and is knighted by the king.

Presented in Cantonese-dubbing and sung version, the actors, adorned with exquisite masks and fanciful puppet costumes, will transform into the cherished characters of the tale. With creative choreography and uplifting music, they will bring this world-famous fairy tale to life for children, conveying its core themes of kindness, courage, friendship and wisdom. The stage design employs vibrant and eye-catching colours with meticulously crafted key sets such as the forest cottage, winding vines, cloudscapes and the giant's lair. Enhanced by special lighting and dry ice smoke effects, these elements engage audiences of all ages in the unfolding plot and mysterious atmosphere, inviting them to join Jack on his thrilling adventure.

Theater Company Hikosen was foundedin 1966 and is internationally acclaimed for adapting famous fairy tales into distinctive "mask play" performances. Their performers are versatile in ballet and gymnastics, and present the truth, goodness and beauty of fairy tales through song and dance with richly designed staging. The company stages over 500 shows annually in Japan and has toured more than 20 countries and regions. In Hong Kong, Hikosen's past productions have been box-office hits, delighting audiences of all ages.

"Cheers!" Series:"Jack and the Beanstalk"by Theater Company Hikosen (Japan)will be held at 7.30pm on November 14 (Friday) and at 3pm on November 15 and 16 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Auditorium of Kwai Tsing Theatre. The programme will be conducted in Cantonese with Chinese and English surtitles. Tickets priced at $250, $350 and $450 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_1893.html.

The programme will also feature twobackstage tours (in Japanese with Cantonese interpretation) to be held at 5pm on November 14 (Friday) and at 11am on November 15 (Saturday) at the Auditorium of Kwai Tsing Theatre. Tickets priced at $80 are now available at URBTIX. For details, please refer to the above-mentioned website.

The "Cheers!" Series will be held from November to February next year. This series edition will feature five international productions and four local family entertainment programmes, ranging from puppetry and acrobatics to circus, dance, music, theatre, multimedia shows and musicals, to delight audiences during the festive season. For details, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/f_entertainment/groups_1883.html.

The third Asia+ Festival will be held from September to November with an aim to create a sustainable platform for arts and cultural exchange. Focusing on Asia, the Festival also connects with Belt and Road countries and regions in Europe, Africa and the Americas. This year, artists from more than 30 countries and regions, including 12 new participating countries, will take part in the Festival, featuring over 100 performances and activities. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.asiaplus.gov.hk/2025/en.

Japan's Theater Company Hikosen returning to Hong Kong with puppetry musical "Jack and the Beanstalk" in November Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Japan's Theater Company Hikosen returning to Hong Kong with puppetry musical "Jack and the Beanstalk" in November Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Japan's Theater Company Hikosen returning to Hong Kong with puppetry musical "Jack and the Beanstalk" in November Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Japan's Theater Company Hikosen returning to Hong Kong with puppetry musical "Jack and the Beanstalk" in November Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.

An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases