Experience 'The Storyville Mosquito': A Unique Multimedia Production in Hong Kong This February!

Canadian multimedia theatrical film production "The Storyville Mosquito" to be staged at East Kowloon Cultural Centre in February

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department's "Cheers!" Series will present a multimedia film production, "The Storyville Mosquito", from Canada in early February. The work is a multisensory feast that is simultaneously a play, a film, and a concert. Each show is performed, filmed, projected and scored in real time with detailed miniature sets, puppetry, cinematography and a musical performance, while a movie about a mosquito's musical adventure will play live in one continuous take. This one-of-a-kind family-friendly programme is also part of the East Kowloon Cultural Centre (EKCC)'s opening season lineup.

"The Storyville Mosquito" is an endearing, Chaplin-esque silent theatrical cinema experience that highlights themes of dreams, inner voices, personal growth, love and friendship. It tells the story of a young mosquito who leaves his small town in the country to seek fame and fortune in a big city and fulfil his dream of playing clarinet in a legendary jazz band at a prestigious music hall. His path appears to be full of twists and turns, but he meets new companions on the bustling streets and forms sincere friendships. Driven by his passion for music and the support of friends, the mosquito moves step by step towards his dream.

The Hong Kong programme will be performed with the support of a 14-person team. Puppeteers, foley artists, cinematographers and technicians will simultaneously manipulate 75 handcrafted puppets of various scales and move through 20 miniature sets. The whole process will be filmed in one continuous take and projected onto the screen by eight cameras. Together with a string trio, DJ and musician P-Love (born Paolo Kapunan) will play live original music scores and sound effects on turntables, keyboards and electronics depending on the scenes. At times, classical score music will be performed, while foley or cartoon sound effects will be added to certain comedic moments. Audience members will be able to watch the movie unfold on the screen while at any moment also glancing down at the stage to see the puppeteers and cinematographers creating those scenes. In essence, they will get to see the film and the making-of simultaneously, delivering an unprecedented viewing experience.

"The Storyville Mosquito", created by renowned Canadian multitalented artist Kid Koala, who also directed and composed the musical score, premiered in Montreal in 2019 before touring cities in Canada, the United States, Germany, Mexico and beyond, where it was met with widespread acclaim. The production was honoured with Outstanding Touring Production honours at the Dora Awards 2023 in Canada.

The "Cheers!" Series: "The Storyville Mosquito" by Kid Koala (Canada) will be held at 8pm on February 6 and 7 (Friday and Saturday) at the Hall of the EKCC. Tickets priced at $200 (some seats may have a restricted view), $300, $400 and $500 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 visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/multi_arts/programs_1878.html. Each performance will be followed by a meet-the-artist session (conducted in English with Cantonese interpretation). Members of the audience are welcome to stay behind to join.

The programme will also feature a meet-the-puppet session to be held at 5pm on February 7 at the EKCC. During the event, the puppeteers of "The Storyville Mosquito" will bring along the puppet protagonists, Mosquito and Katy, to move through various indoor and outdoor spaces of the Centre, interacting with the public and taking photos together. The session will last approximately one hour. Admission is free. Members of the public are welcome to join and capture their delightful moments. For details, please visit the above-mentioned programme web page.

The "Cheers!" Series began in November 2025 and will run until to February 2026. This series features international productions and 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.

Canadian multimedia theatrical film production "The Storyville Mosquito" to be staged at East Kowloon Cultural Centre in February Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Canadian multimedia theatrical film production "The Storyville Mosquito" to be staged at East Kowloon Cultural Centre in February Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Canadian multimedia theatrical film production "The Storyville Mosquito" to be staged at East Kowloon Cultural Centre in February Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Canadian multimedia theatrical film production "The Storyville Mosquito" to be staged at East Kowloon Cultural Centre in February Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Canadian multimedia theatrical film production "The Storyville Mosquito" to be staged at East Kowloon Cultural Centre in February Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Canadian multimedia theatrical film production "The Storyville Mosquito" to be staged at East Kowloon Cultural Centre in February Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Canadian multimedia theatrical film production "The Storyville Mosquito" to be staged at East Kowloon Cultural Centre in February Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Canadian multimedia theatrical film production "The Storyville Mosquito" to be staged at East Kowloon Cultural Centre in February Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HA to consider Budget for 2026/27

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:

At a meeting today (January 7), the Finance Committee (FC) of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) endorsed the 2025/26 Revised Budget and the 2026/27 Proposed Budget.

Under the latest budgets and financial forecasts, it is envisaged that the HA will have the necessary financial resources to meet its recurrent and capital expenditures up to 2029/30.

The FC Chairman, Dr Billy Mak, said after the meeting, "The HA's construction expenditure will continue to rise beyond 2026/27 due to the increase in the number of new public housing projects. To ensure its long-term financial sustainability, the HA has made every effort to reduce construction costs in response to rising expenditure as much as possible. A Project Facilitation Office has been established to co-ordinate various departments to facilitate the completion of public housing projects and to enhance cost-effectiveness in public housing construction. In addition, the HA will trim its annual recurrent expenditure by 2 per cent for both 2026/27 and 2027/28."

Dr Mak added, "The HA will continue to explore various revenue-enhanced/cost-saving measures, for example, advancing the public housing supply in the direction towards a 60:40 ratio between public rental housing/the Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme and other subsidised sale flats to increase its income from sale of Home Ownership Scheme flats to cope with the rising construction expenditure."

Dr Mak said, "These financial forecasts will inevitably be changed over the next few years due to various factors. They will be updated in the next round of the budgeting exercise. The HA will no doubt stay vigilant and monitor closely, and review its income and expenditure situations."

The HA will hold an open meeting on January 19 to examine the budgets and financial forecasts. The budgets will be submitted to the Chief Executive for approval thereafter.

The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA), Photo source: reference image