The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) celebrated a sold-out premiere of its 40th anniversary musical What the Buddha Said last evening (7 May) at the Academy Lyric Theatre. Directed by the Acting Dean of Drama Tony Wong, this large-scale production brought together over 200 students and alumni from the Schools of Drama, Chinese Opera, Dance, Music, Film and Television, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Distinguished guests, the Academy Council members, senior management, and the creative team attended a pre-show reception to toast the success of this milestone production.
Mr Charles Yang Chuen-liang, Council Chairman of the Academy, remarked during the reception, "This musical draws from classical Chinese tale, honouring traditional culture while innovatively showcasing the wisdom of Chinese heritage - perfectly aligning with the Academy's mission to bridge East and West through contemporary artistic vision. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Government and the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau for their staunch and continuous support over the years. The Academy remains steadfast in nurturing talent and fostering cultural exchange in line with government policies. My appreciation also goes to all participating students, staff, alumni, and supporters for their dedication."
Marking the anniversary, Professor Anna CY Chan, the Academy Director, is delighted that the Academy is ranked among the world’s top 20 in the Performing Arts category in the QS World University Rankings 2025. She added, "This celebratory production reflects our strong commitment to performing arts education and showcases the remarkable multidisciplinary accomplishments that have brought this large-scale production to life. The performance is a true testament to the collaboration among our talented students, alumni and faculty members from the six Schools of the Academy, who have poured their hearts into creating a profound theatrical and artistic experience for the audience. We are also privileged to have renowned industry peers contributing their expertise to the creative team, further enhancing the richness of this production.”
The Academy is grateful for the contribution of students, staff, alumni, and all stakeholders involved in this musical production, and for the unfaltering support of the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau. The production features teacher-artists from a host of areas, including drama, dance, design aesthetics, music and film, guiding some 200 students and alumni of the Academy to perform or work backstage. Celebrated artists have been invited to take part in this large-scale project, including Cheung Fei-fan (playwright), who has written multiple renowned musicals such as The Impossible Trial, joined by the Academy alumni: Frankie Ho (composer and music director), who has created many award-winning musicals; Chung Chi-wing (lyricist), who has produced widely acclaimed musicals such as I Have a Date with Spring and 1941 Girl; and Pichead Amornsomboon, who has garnered numerous drama and musical accolades, in the leading role of Holy Monk.
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About The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (www.hkapa.edu)
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), established by The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Ordinance in 1984, is a leading tertiary institution in performing arts. It provides professional undergraduate education and practice-based postgraduate studies. The study encompasses Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Its educational philosophy reflects the cultural diversity of Hong Kong with emphasis on Chinese and Western traditions, and interdisciplinary learning.
Since 2008, the Academy has attained the Programme Area Accreditation (PAA) status awarded by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) to self-monitor and accredit its own undergraduate and post-secondary programmes in the five programme areas of Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Since 2016, the PAA status has been extended to cover Master’s Degree programmes and below; and since 2023, the programmes operated by the School of Chinese Opera accredited by HKCAAVQ have also received PAA status for its post-secondary and undergraduate programmes.
Besides the main campus in Wanchai, Béthanie, the site of the Academy’s Landmark Heritage Campus in Pokfulam, has housed training facilities for the School of Film and Television since 2006.
In the QS University Rankings announced in 2025, the Academy ranks top 20 in the Performing Arts category.