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From Page to Stage®: Rousing the Dragon Premieres in March
Re-imagining a Classic Tale of the Three Kingdoms in English; Renowned Theatre Director Dr Vicki Ooi’s 101st Production
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 January 2025 – Widely celebrated for its literary and artistic value, as well as its timeless virtues, the Chinese literary classic Romance of the Three Kingdoms continues to inspire audiences across generations. The Absolutely Fabulous Theatre Connection (AFTEC), known for its innovative bilingual Learning Theatre™ approach, is set to present its latest production, Rousing the Dragon, this March. This English retelling of the Three Kingdoms saga will bring to life the legendary tales of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhuge Liang. Directed and adapted by Dr Vicki Ooi, recipient of the 31st Hong Kong Drama Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award, the production will feature live music, bilingual surtitles, and a captivating performance that promises to move audiences.
Rousing the Dragon marks the 101st production by AFTEC’s Artistic Director, Dr Vicki Ooi, a leading figure in Hong Kong’s arts and education sectors. Known for her dedication to holistic education and her passion for youth theatre, bilingual theatre, and arts education, Dr Ooi has spent decades creating thought-provoking works. Reflecting on this milestone, Dr Ooi shared: “We believe in the transformative power of the arts, which goes far beyond mere visual spectacle. With Rousing the Dragon, we aim to present a fresh and innovative take, engaging audiences with dynamic performances and powerful storytelling to ignite their interest in classic literature and the arts.”
Rousing the Dragon is the first instalment of AFTEC’s Three Kingdoms Trilogy. As a prequel to last year’s Strategy, which depicted the battle of wits between Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu, this new production returns audiences to the world of the Three Kingdoms. Iconic stories such as the Oath of the Peach Garden, Crossing Five Passes and Slaying Six Generals, and Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage are brought to life on stage, with a focus on the legendary bond between Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhuge Liang. The performance explores three core themes: loyalty and nobility, brotherhood and fraternal bonding, and determination and resilience. The trilogy’s final chapter, Taming the Dragon (working title), is scheduled to premiere in March 2026 at the newly refurbished Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre Theatre, AFTEC’s venue partner, and will highlight the intense confrontation between Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi.
For this production, Dr Vicki Ooi has enlisted Selina Kan of the Seals Players Foundation as a guest performer for two public shows. Dr Ooi and Kan share a collaborative history spanning half a century, blending mentorship and friendship. Kan has performed in 16 of Dr Ooi’s productions, including Volpona and Skin of Our Teeth, making her an integral part of this milestone work.
Through From Page to Stage®, AFTEC integrates theatre and education, offering students and the public an opportunity to enjoy drama while exploring traditional Chinese virtues and values. This innovative approach makes learning English and historical knowledge accessible and enjoyable, providing a fresh perspective on Chinese literary epics and sparking interest in English, Chinese literature, and theatre arts.
Two public performances of Rousing the Dragon will be held on 8 and 15 March at the Yuen Long Theatre Auditorium. Tickets will be available for purchase from 24 January through URBTIX and art-mate. Pre- and post-show foyer activities will be open to ticket holders, along with a post-show stage tour led by the cast, offering audiences a behind-the-scenes look at theatrical productions.
Secondary school shows will run from 4 to 7 March and on 10 March at the Yuen Long Theatre Auditorium. Participating schools will gain access to pre-show learning resources, in-school workshops, and post-show activities. These resources provide students with a deeper understanding of the script, story, and characters while encouraging them to apply creative thinking skills to appreciate theatrical productions. Students will also have the chance to re-enact scenes under the guidance of the cast, experiencing the thrill of performing on stage.
Programme website: https://www.aftec.hk/p2s2025-rousing-the-dragon/
Ticketing platforms: https://art-mate.net/doc/78082 (art-mate)
https://www.urbtix.hk/event-detail/12826/ (URBTIX)
| Public Shows | Secondary School Shows | |
| Date & Time | March 8 & 15, 2025 (Saturday) 2:30 pm |
March 4 – 7 & 10, 2025 (Monday to Friday) 10:30 am & 2:30 pm |
| Venue | Yuen Long Theatre Auditorium | |
| Fee | $240 (including post-show stage tour*) / $210 / $160 | $100 (same for teachers and students) |
| Length | Approximately 1 hour with no intermission | Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes with no intermission |
| Fringe Activities | Pre- & post-show foyer activities for ticket holders * Post-show stage tour: Follow the cast to explore behind-the-scenes theatre operations |
Includes pre-show learning materials, in-school workshops, and post-show activities |
Hashtag: #AFTEC
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About From Page to Stage®
Since its launch in 2009, From Page to Stage® has been one of Hong Kong’s longest-running theatre education programmes, with over 300 performances staged and an audience of more than 125,000. Six productions were produced under The Jockey Club “From Page to Stage®” Programme from 2012 to 2017. It was also one of the English Alliance programmes under the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) from 2018 to 2021.
Tailored for local secondary school students, the programme brings classic literature to life on stage, offering pre-show learning resources and in-school workshops. It aims to cultivate an appreciation for classic literature and the arts among Hong Kong students. Widely praised, nearly 25% of participating schools have been involved in the programme for 10 years or more.
About The Absolutely Fabulous Theatre Connection
The Absolutely Fabulous Theatre Connection (AFTEC) is the pioneer and specialist in creative learning and teaching in Hong Kong. As an award-winning bilingual Learning Theatre™, AFTEC is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of young people and creative learning professionals. We believe in the power of the arts to inspire, motivate, and transform, and use an integrated arts-in-education approach to enhance education and encourage creative learning. Our acronym A.F.T.E.C. also stands for Arts For Transformative Educational Change.
Established in 2008 as a registered charity, we have reached over 283,000 audience members and participants through our diverse cross-disciplinary projects. Since 2009, we have been the Venue Partner of the Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre under the LCSD Venue Partnership Scheme. AFTEC was a recipient of HK Arts Development Council’s Award for Arts Education 2014 & 2017, and Arts Promotion 2020, as well as a two-time recipient of the Springboard Grant under the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme (2015 & 2017) and a grantee of Art Development Matching Grants Scheme (2021 – 2024) of the HKSAR Government. AFTEC pioneered Relaxed Theatre and the performing arts module of Medical Humanities developing STEAM as a teaching & learning approach. Website: www.aftec.hk
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SkinLab The Medical Spa Recognised at the 2026 Singapore Retailers Association Awards (SRA) for Excellence in Beauty and Cosmetics
For SkinLab, this reflects two decades of building a holistic beauty ecosystem spanning medical aesthetics, skin health, and wellness, under Dr Kelvin Chua, Senior Medical Director and Founder of SL Aesthetic Group. Treatments are personally developed by Dr Chua to address different skin concerns, such as acne, pigmentation, sensitivity, rosacea, dryness, and ageing. The medical spa also offers a range of skincare products formulated for Singapore’s humid climate and to support long-term skin health.
With 10 outlets islandwide, SkinLab has cared for more than 100,000 customers through this model of doctor-designed care. As no two skin conditions present the same way, each treatment can be customised to individual needs and preferences.
SkinLab has also been recognised by Harper’s BAZAAR, HerWorld, and Singapore Women’s Weekly for treatments targeting deep hydration, rejuvenation, and complexion correction. Behind these treatment outcomes are medical-grade technologies, including the LDM Triple, a triple-frequency ultrasound that targets multiple skin depths simultaneously; FDA-approved Lumenis M22 IPL system for photorejuvenation and pigmentation; Onda Pro with Coolwaves™ technology for body contouring; and the globally-recognised HydraFacial.
The medical spa continuously invests in technology that improves the customer experience, including using AI-assisted skin analysis to support consultations alongside chatbot-based scheduling to reduce waiting time and streamline appointment bookings.
SkinLab’s commitment to holistic care extends beyond treatment sessions, promoting skin health literacy educational content and workshops with doctors from sister brand SL Aesthetic Clinic.
“This award is a valuable milestone that reflects how far SkinLab The Medical Spa has grown as a brand,” says Dr Chua. “From the very start, our brand was designed with the customer at the centre, and that principle continues to guide every treatment developed and every experience delivered moving forward. The brand remains committed to advancing medical-led facial treatments that address a wide range of skin concerns more effectively.”
Looking ahead, SkinLab The Medical Spa remains committed to advancing its medical-led approach to skin health, continuing to explore and adopt clinically validated technologies to deliver more individualised care while reinforcing its commitment to clinical excellence across all its outlets.
To learn more, visit: www.skinlabmedspa.com
Hashtag: #SkinLabTheMedicalSpa #SLAestheticGroup #SingaporeRetailersAssociation
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About SkinLab The Medical Spa
SkinLab The Medical Spa brings together the attentive, understated service of a world-class spa with medically grounded aesthetic science. As the dedicated medical spa brand of SL Aesthetic Group, SkinLab focuses on non-invasive facial treatments for acne, pigmentation, sensitive skin, and overall skin rejuvenation, delivering evidence-based care that supports long-term skin health.
Founded in the 2000s, SL Aesthetic Group is a healthcare and aesthetics group specialising in skin and hair health, women’s wellness, and holistic medicine. Its portfolio includes SL Aesthetic Clinic, a doctor-led medical aesthetics practice; SkinLab The Medical Spa; TrichoLab, a specialist hair and scalp centre; PROLOGUE, a women’s wellness and lifestyle medical clinic; and Euphie Skin Solutions in Malaysia. Across its network of clinics and outlets, the Group offers a comprehensive range of FDA-approved aesthetic and medical treatments, all supervised by trained and certified healthcare professionals holding Certificates of Competency (COC) recognised by the Aesthetic Practice Oversight Committee (APOC).
SkinLab The Medical Spa operates 10 locations across Singapore, including its flagship medical spa at Wheelock Place, while SL Aesthetic Group has a network of more than 20 clinics and outlets across Singapore and Malaysia.
The launch ceremony was attended by Mr. Do Quang Thai, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the Kingdom of Denmark, together with representatives from leading Danish organizations, including 3F, Dansk Erhverv, DPT and Carnegie Investment Bank, alongside strategic partners and industry stakeholders from the transport, technology, energy, finance and infrastructure sectors.
As one of the world’s leading cities in sustainable urban mobility, Copenhagen was chosen as Green SM’s first European market. Here, the company aims to complement the city’s existing transport network by offering another reliable, fully electric mobility option for residents and visitors alike.
In Denmark, the company operates a fully electric fleet of VinFast VF 6 and VF 8 vehicles, serving a wide range of everyday urban travel needs. Unlike many ride-hailing platforms that primarily connect passengers with independent drivers, Green SM directly owns and manages its fleet and oversees driver operations to help ensure consistent service quality and customer experience. During the initial phase of operations, Green SM will focus on establishing a reliable local operation, ensuring full compliance with Danish regulations, and continuously improving its service based on feedback from customers, drivers, and other stakeholders.
Delivering a safe, professional, and consistent customer experience begins with Green SM’s drivers. Before serving customers, every driver completes comprehensive training in road safety, customer service, operating procedures, and electric vehicle operation. Together with ongoing training and a robust local operations system, this helps ensure every journey reflects the high standards Green SM is committed to delivering.
Customers can book rides through the Green SM app, available on the App Store and Google Play. Fares are displayed before each trip is confirmed, and electronic receipts are issued automatically at the end of every journey. To mark its launch in Copenhagen, Green SM is offering new customers five (5) vouchers worth 25% off each trip, up to a maximum discount of 100 DKK per ride throughout the Grand Launch period from July 30 to September 30, 2026.
Richard Nabil Chahine, CEO of Green SM Europe, said: “Cities shape the future of mobility long before companies do. Copenhagen is one of those cities. That is why beginning our European journey here carries special meaning for Green SM. We come with deep respect for the standards already established here, drawing on what we have learned from serving millions of journeys across Asia. Our ambition is simple: to become a trusted mobility partner by delivering safe, professional and fully electric journeys that people can rely on every day. If we earn that trust, growth will naturally follow.”
Green SM’s expansion into Europe reflects the company’s long-term approach to international growth. Rather than prioritising rapid expansion, Green SM focuses on building well-structured local operations, adapting its services to local market needs, and earning trust through consistently reliable service.
With its fully electric fleet and low-emission operating model, Green SM hopes to contribute to Denmark’s long-standing ambitions for more sustainable mobility while providing another practical transport choice for everyday journeys.
Founded in Vietnam in 2023, Green SM currently operates in Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines, India and Kazakhstan. Through its fully electric fleet, technology platform and consistent operating standards, the company is steadily expanding internationally while adapting its services to local market needs.
Hashtag: #GreenSM
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The collaboration marks a significant moment for Taiwan’s international media presence, as the completion of Gaudí’s vision draws global attention to one of the world’s most visited cultural landmarks. NHK has documented the construction of the Sagrada Família for decades, building a relationship of trust with the basilica’s team that enabled joint coverage.
TVBS crews filmed in areas rarely accessible to media, including the crypt where Gaudí is buried, architectural workshops, and key structural sections of the basilica. The team conducted interviews with architects and experts involved in the project during preparations for the inauguration ceremony. Construction on the church began in 1882, one year before Gaudí took over as chief architect.
Taiwanese actress Lin Chi-ling joined the reporting team in Barcelona as a cultural ambassador for the project. Lin met with architects and experts to explore the basilica through the perspectives of architecture, aesthetics, and cultural heritage. Her involvement added a cultural dimension to the coverage beyond conventional architectural reporting.
The coverage brought together partners from Taiwan’s technology and financial sectors. HTC, through its VIVE Arts initiative, contributed its immersive experience “Gaudí, the Atelier of the Divine.” The virtual reality program allows audiences to explore Gaudí’s architectural world in new ways, transcending geographical and physical boundaries.
TS Financial Holding Co., Ltd., which has long supported arts and cultural exchange, sponsored the live broadcast. The company cited values of integrity, innovation, and sustainability in joining the project. The cross-sector collaboration extended Taiwan’s cultural advocacy onto the international stage, connecting the 144-year architectural endeavor to audiences in Taiwan and Chinese-speaking communities worldwide.
TVBS integrated AI-powered real-time translation technology throughout the live coverage, facilitating multilingual communication across international production teams. The project showcased Taiwan’s ability to connect industries and communities across borders. TVBS, NHK, HTC, and TS Financial Holding Co., Ltd., together documented a defining milestone in the Sagrada Família’s history.
Hashtag: #TVBS
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