Rooms with a view to music and dance

Jabberwocky Mirror utilized the entire terrace. The dance piece was designed for viewing from above. The four dancers unfurling long sheets of light-reflecting material as they snaked above and around patio furniture looked like a Christo installation come to life.

The next piece was staged in the southeast portion of the terrace. Loosely based on the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice from Greek mythology, the show transports the doomed lovers to the underground setting of a secretive S&M enclave. The bold costumes reinforced a sensual edge to the tragedy.

"The Orpheus Cabaret is an epic story, and the audience, viewing the work voyeuristically from their rooms, got a kind of bird's-eye-view," noted Septime Webre, Hong Kong Ballet's artistic director. "It made the proceedings a bit sexier — like peering into a private bedchamber through a keyhole. The vivid red costumes for Orpheus and the gothic leather and latex costumes for the citizens of the underworld gave a graphic look to the proceedings."

"I really wanted HK Ballet to be part of the fun in Jordan," he said. "It was a challenge to figure out how to activate Eaton's beautiful terrace and ensure that audiences could actually see the work, given social-distancing rules. Eaton's idea to have the guests watch from their rooms was a brilliant solution."

Chantal Wong, culture director with Eaton HK, revealed that the show's logistical challenges included the possibility of rain and syncing sound to movements seamlessly, which was resolved by using a 150-meter wire to connect the terrace to the control room.

"We designed the program to have three parts," noted Wong. "We believe it is important to support new creations by young local artists, so Jabberwocky Mirror was specifically created for the terrace by Sudhee Liao."

Webre indicates that HK Ballet will continue to find unusual ways to present works even after the troupe is back in theaters. "As people, we seek human contact. As the situation improves, we yearn to be close together again," he said.

Wong is also exploring other creative ways to mount shows: "I'm already discussing the next Movement Festival with co-founder Alice Rensy. I am excited about reframing what is possible within performance, going forward —coming up with new and imaginative ways to create dance in a socially-distanced world."