Panda's Dream Being Presented in London this Fall!

Panda's Dream was such a success at the London Fringe Festival and the public is still wanting more! So if you missed seeing this spectacular production you have a chance to still catch it! It will be presented as part of a Mid Autumn Moon Festival Celebration event on October 4, 2009. Check back for details.

The Final Curtain

After 5 fantastic performances at the Fringe the show has come to an end.

It was an emotional end to an unforgetable 9 days. The troupe learned and grew so much performing for their audiences. Everyone enjoyed participating at the Fringe and will always remember the fun times during rehearsals and backstage!

A big thank you to Kathy and Alison at Fringe headquarters and to Ryan our theater technician. We appreciate all that they did for us! The Fringe was a fantastic experience.

Thank you to the families of the cast for all of their encouragment, dedication and time given to make Panda's Dream possible.

Thank you to all of those behind the scenes that made the production a success! We appreciate the volunteers that made the props, managed the props, operated the fog machine, made sure that all of the tamborines, bamboo and handkercheifs were accounted for and were where they should be for every single show. Every detail was taken care of and every show went off without a hitch!

Helen you did it! The show, your dream became a reality and it moved so many people. You are so talented and have so much to give to the community. Best of luck, we cannot wait to see what your next production will be!

Lastly, a very special thank you goes to all the cast that made this show so spectacular. Despite their age, the children were remarkable. They are a very talented group that trained very hard to make this performance what it was. We heard many comments from individuals from our audiences that said they were moved to tears by the beauty of Panda's Dream.

All Good Things Must Come to an End...

The show is coming to a close. There is only one performance left, Sunday the 28th at 2:30. If you haven't had a chance to attend a performance this is it! Don't miss it!

It has been a pleasure being part of the London Fringe Festival and performing for our audiences. The dancers have been real troupers and Helen is so proud of the dedication they have shown during the past year rehearsing and making this show possible. They have all done an amazing job.

London Free Press Article


EASTERN FLAIR: Young performers steal the show, which features classical Chinese dancing styles

Helen and Panda's Dream featured in the London Free Press Tuesday June 23!

Panda-monium reigns
Tue, June 23, 2009

By KATHY RUMLESKI, FREE PRESS REPORTER

AT THE FRINGE -- Gentle dancers whisper a cooling breeze through the Wolf Performance Hall.
They give one pause to rest and refresh.
Panda's Dream, the London Fringe offering of the local Hong Dance Studio, is delightful for young and old.
The charming piece, written by Helen Hong, owner and instructor of Hong Dance, fuses East and West with a meeting in the middle that will satisfy theatregoers looking for a nice story amidst cultural exploration.
Performed by about 35 young dancers from the London area, Panda's Dream takes us to the gate of China, along the ancient fort of Dun Huang, which houses centuries of Chinese art.

We find a lush, nourished world where butterflies flutter peacefully and graceful animals rule.
The golden costumes of the dancers sparkle with sequins and the glowing sun warms us.
The story takes us to the world of four young pandas and their mother, who are content and happy.
It is only when the consuming humans toss their trash everywhere that we witness the destruction of this paradise.
Darkness descends and fog creates confusion as the humans wreak havoc. They are accompanied by funky music that helps set the scene.
Hong, who was trained at the Beijing Dance Academy, had the music written, scored and orchestrated in China last summer.
The use of the erhu and the bamboo flute lend to the Eastern flair.
The chaos doesn't last long as the pretty pink fairies descend to fill the world with beauty and respect again.
Panda's Dream includes traditional dance, Chinese classical dance movements and Chinese folk dance.
Ballet and modern dance are found in the movements.
The performers are still learning (some look to be as young as four or five) and there is nothing perfect about the show. But it doesn't matter as the tiny dancers capture our hearts.
---
IF YOU GO
What: Panda's Dream
Where: Wolf Performance Hall
Next: Thursday, 7 p.m.
Fringe Benefit: Proceeds from the show will be donated to the London Regional Children's Museum.

Link to the London Free Press Video Clip of Panda's Dream

http://video.lfpress.ca/archive/source/london-free-press/london-fringe-09-pandas-dream/27465127001

Photos From the London Free Press



Here are a few photos taken by Morris Lamont of the London Free Press.

The Reviews for Panda's Dream are Coming In!

After two performances the reviews are starting to come in for Panda's Dream! The show is fantastic! Come check it out. Below is a great review posted on the London Fringe Festival website. Here is a link to more reviews on the London Fringe Festival website.

www.londonfringe.ca/reviews/viewforum.php?f=27

Panda’s Dream (Review)
by uhu » Sun Jun 21, 2009 1:14 pm

From the powerful opening number that started out ever so softly with the beautiful Helen Hong demonstrating both her incredible flexibility and core strength, perched so delicately up stage centre for all the audience to see I knew we were in for an incredible show. From there the remaining cast of dancers joined in and all of the sudden an explosion of colours, charm, and intricate choreography filled the entire stage. A fusion of bright texture, and beautiful smiles from the dancers made you sit up in your chair to keep an eye out for what or who was to appear next. The continuous moving soundtrack that was set at the perfect volume, complimented the dancers on stage while keeping you abreast of the story line, always maintaining your attention while the lights were dimming to prepare for the next scene. Helen, alone on stage filled the entire space as if the chorus of 30 plus dancers were behind her, you couldn’t help but feel her energy. There was a lot of people at this show and thankfully so as this show deserves an audience. Be sure to catch one of their final three performances this week.

This opening weekend review has been posted on behalf of
Theatre in London.cauhu

It's the Premier of Panda's Dream!




The day has finally arrived. Today is the premier of Panda's Dream! We will keep you posted on how the show is going! Good luck girls!


WHAT AN EXCITING WEEK!


The week leading up to the premier of Panda's Dream has been very busy and exciting! Rehearsals have been in full swing. The technical rehearsal at the Wolf will be this week. Everyone is looking forward to stepping on the stage and experiencing the outcome of all of their hard work.

Members of the troupe participated in the Carnival Parade in London on June 13th. Those of you in London may have seen the Panda's Dream van around London on the weekend!

Helen and some of the other dancers entertained the audience at the Canival Festival at Victoria Park on Saturday afternoon. The crowd loved them!

Did you catch the Rogers Daytime show last week? Panda's Dream was the topic of discussion! Everyone is looking forward to this London based production!

Catch Rogers TV program "Espectacular" this Wednesday (June 17th) at 10:30 pm and Thursday (June 18th) at 3:30 pm to see Helen and a few of the dancers performing at the Carnival Festival.

The London Free Press ran an article about the Fringe Festival Thursday June 18. You can see it at http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Today/ThursdayTicket/2009/06/18/9836616-sun.html

**IMPORTANT TICKETING INFORMATON**

All ticket sales for Panda's Dream are done through the London Fringe Festival. Please read this information regarding ticket sales.

BackerButton
$5.00 for adults; $1.00 for children. Available at Headquarters or at the venue. Everyone must purchase a Backer Button to see shows (Fringe Rules).

Advance tickets
Advance tickets are available until 10:00pm the night before the show (Advance tickets cannot be purchased on the day of the show). All advance tickets are $10.00 ea; with a $2.00 service charge per ticket. Advance Ticket orders will be available for pickup at the performance venue 45 minutes before the show.

Advance tickets (on-line only at www.londonfringe.ca): go on sale Monday, June 8.

Same Day
Same Day tickets go on sale 45 minutes before the show starts. Same day tickets are $8, Cash only. Limit of 4 tickets per person at the door.

Remember: the Fringe does not admit latecomers (Ever. Under any circumstances), even if you have purchased advance tickets!
There are no refunds or exchanges on ticket sales. Ticket sales are final. There can be no refunds once a ticket is purchased.
All seats are General admission.