In the rehearsal hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the sound of a loud jump to the ground continues to vibrate in the air. Albert Gordon is warming up for “Giselle” with the precision and grace of a professional dancer. “When I first came to Hong Kong five years ago, I had no idea that I would find a new starting point for my artistic career here,” says the London-born, american-raised dancer.
When Albert first saw the skyline of Hong Kong Island, he was struck by the modern feel of the city. “I had never been to China, I had never been to Hong Kong, I had no idea it would be so high-rise,” he recalls. At first, Hong Kong was just a job opportunity for him, but the city soon won him over with its unique charm.
At the Hong Kong Ballet, Albert was presented with an important turning point in his artistic career. He starred in “The Great Gatsby”, directed by Artistic Director Wei Chengtian, “There was a lot of pas de deux and acting that took my ability to a new level,” he said, adding that he was impressed by his experience in the classic ballet Don Quixote, “It was one of my first leading roles and it was the dream of all ballerinas.”
Albert is also fascinated by Hong Kong life. “I really like the food culture in Hong Kong and there are a lot of great choices, whether it’s restaurants or bars,” he said, “The city is so convenient and safe that I can go to the beach and go back to my apartment in an hour.”
What surprised Albert Most was the artistic atmosphere. “Here, we often meet performing artists from all over the world,” he said, “It has greatly broadened my understanding of all kinds of art. I used to be mainly exposed to western art, but now I have the opportunity to learn more about Chinese art, Asian art, and when I first saw it, it was really beautiful.”
Ballet as a Western art form has been warmly welcomed in Hong Kong. “The audience was very hospitable, they really enjoyed our performance,” Albert said, referring specifically to the Butterfly Lovers experience, “It’s a real blend of Chinese culture with ballet and modern dance, and I’m honored to be part of its world premiere.”
Albert, who has lived here for five years, is now fully integrated into the city. “I didn’t know how long I’d be here,” he says with a smile, “But now I’m really in love with the people and the culture.” From The Nutcracker to Butterfly Lovers, from skyscrapers to teahouses, Hong Kong’s unique inclusiveness has provided the ballet dancer with a platform to showcase his talent and to find the perfect balance between art and life.