PROGRAMME INTRODUCTION
Orchestrating the extraordinary – A live show that melds genres, re-imagines form and explodes boundaries
Asia Premiere
Playfully fusing theatre, live orchestral music and contemporary dance, The Nature of Why by the award-winning Paraorchestra invites the audience to be part of a fully inclusive, immersive spectacle. In this unique, intimate experiential piece, directed by world-renowned British conductor and Artistic Director of Paraorchestra Charles Hazlewood and acclaimed Australian choreographer Caroline Bowditch, musicians and dancers of the award-winning Paraorchestra ensemble weave among the audience to a cinematic live score composed by Will Gregory of Goldfrapp. Taking inspiration from the boundless curiosity of Nobel prize-winning theoretical physicist Richard Feynman and his search for meaning in the world, The Nature of Why is an uplifting, thought-provoking work that experiments with the nature of performance. As unexpected interactions and moments of delight pop up across the gently-lit set, performers, musicians and audience become one in a sonic choose-your-own-adventure that surprises at every turn. Paraorchestra are the world’s first professional orchestra of disabled and non-disabled musicians and made their debut at the Closing Ceremony of the 2012 London Paralympics. In 2025, they were the winners of the Royal Philharmonic Society's “Ensemble Award”.
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PERFORMERS
Hong Kong New Music Ensemble:
First Violin - Amelia Chan, Patrick Yim, Elizaveta Koshkina
Second VIolin - Kitty Cheung, Sunny Yeung, Vanessa Chan
Viola - William Lane , Chan Wai Bun
Cello - Pun Chak-yin
Double Bass - Simon Hui
Conductor - Charles Hazlewood
Vocal - Victoria Oruwari, Joanne Roughton-Arnold
Guitar - Dom Coyote
Percussion - Eddy Sayer, Harriet Riley, Jonny Leitch
French Horn - Isaac Shieh
Harp - Steph West
Clarinet - Lloyd Coleman
Double Bass - Patrick Phillip
Viola - Siobhan Clough
Dance - Marta Maseiro, Alex McCabe, KJ Clarke Davis, Vix Fox
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"The Nature of Why" was commissioned and supported by Unlimited and premiered at Mayfest, Bristol 2018.
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Presented by No Limits, 2026 Hong Kong Arts Festival