Under the theme “Traditions Recast”, Asia+ Festival 2026 looks at how long-standing cultural practices can find new life on Hong Kong stages.
This November, Hong Kong audiences can catch two productions centred on Southeast Asian traditions. Malaysia’s Hands Percussion presents Taksu – The Spirit of Gamelan, a percussion-led theatre work featuring Balinese gamelan, Chinese drumming with 24 Festive Drums, and traditional Mak Yong dance and music.
A week later, Vietnamese troupe Lune Production stages Teh Dar, an acrobatic production built around bamboo, live traditional instruments and stories tied to Central Highland culture and aesthetics.
Taksu – The Spirit of Gamelan: Balinese Gamelan Music on November 6-7
Led by Bernard Goh, the Malaysia’s Hands Percussion, winner of multiple BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, creates Taksu alongside Balinese ensemble Gamelan Yuganada and Mak Yong performers.
The production explores the sound and spirit of gamelan through Chinese shigu, Malaysian 24 Festive Drums, bronze gongs, metallophones and traditional Mak Yong dance. More than 30 sets of percussion instruments will fill the stage, creating a striking contrast between metal and drum skin.
Hong Kong audiences will also hear The Hong Kong Children’s Choir (Chamber Youth) perform Jasmine Flower in a new gamelan interpretation created for these performances.
📆 Date & Time: November 6-7, 2026 at 8pm
⏱️ Duration: Around 1 hour 45 minutes, including a 15-minute interval
📍 Venue: Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall, Sha Tin
🎟️ Tickets: HK$200*, HK$260, HK$320 and HK$400. Tickets available at URBTIX
*Some seats with restricted view
Teh Dar: Vietnamese Bamboo Acrobatics on November 14-15
Vietnamese company Lune Production, highly acclaimed by The New York Times, heads to Tuen Mun with Teh Dar after a successful European tour.
The acrobatic theatre production draws on the culture and stories of Vietnam’s Central Highlands. Performers climb, balance and fly across changing bamboo structures, with daring aerial acts unfolding against a stage inspired by the region’s red soil.
A live ensemble accompanies the action with gong, buffalo horn, T’rung and long drum. The music is tied to the Gong Culture of the Central Highlands, recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, giving the acrobatics a strong cultural setting.
📆 Date & Time: November 14, 2026 at 7:30pm & November 15 at 3pm
⏱️ Duration: Around 1 hour with no interval
📍 Venue: Auditorium, Tuen Mun Town Hall, Tuen Mun
🎟️ Tickets: HK$200, HK$260, HK$320 and HK$400. Tickets available at URBTIX
More To See At Asia+ Festival 2026
Asia+ Festival 2026 runs from September to November under this year’s theme, “Traditions Recast”, with more than 100 performances and activities taking place across Hong Kong.
Taksu and Teh Dar are only part of the Asia+ 2026 programme, with plenty more music, dance, theatre and cultural performances to discover throughout the festival. See the full Asia+ Festival 2026 programme to find more shows and plan what to catch next.
Header image credits: Melvin XB, Lune Production