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

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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).

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases