South China Morning Post: "Ballerina retracts her termination agreement"

by Kevin Kwong, Arts EditorSunday Morning PostFeb 01, 2009 Former Hong Kong Ballet principal ballerina Faye Leung is retracting her termination agreement with the troupe, saying she signed the document "under conditions of extreme duress".The award-winning dancer was sacked after she was told her direction and that of the company "were going different ways". Leung had been with the Ballet for nearly 13 years.In a letter obtained by the Sunday Morning Post and addressed to the Ballet board's chairman, John Ying, Leung wrote: "Having finally had the time to read, and adequately and properly to consider the offer, I do not find the terms acceptable."Therefore, I hereby withdraw my agreement to the said offer. I would like to point out that at the time the letter was given to me, I was in a state of shock and had no time to read the contents before being asked to sign."Leung has returned the settlement cheque."This is not about money, I just want a proper explanation on why I was dismissed," she said, adding there was no previous discussion between her and management regarding her dismissal.The dancer said board member Linda Fung summoned her at 6pm on January 23 to sign the termination agreement before asking her to leave the company immediately."I was so shocked I didn't even have time to think what was going on and signed the [paper] with all the pressure ... then I went downstairs to pack everything and left," said Leung.Ballet executive director Evonne Tsui declined to comment on the retraction.Mr Ying is expected to brief the Home Affairs Bureau, which subsidises the Ballet, on Leung's dismissal this week. According to the 2006 Committee on Performing Arts Recommendation Report, the government is responsible for ensuring groups it funds have sound corporate governance and management.The local performing arts community was shocked after the Sunday Morning Post revealed last week that Leung was dismissed weeks before she was due to appear in the Hong Kong Arts Festival. The ballerina was cast to dance in all four pieces of the mixed bill, All Bach.A statement issued by Ms Tsui on Thursday said the Ballet was "committed to building a world-class company that reflects the soul and aspirations of Hong Kong, and with a culture whereby the highest standards of performance are expected from dancers in all aspects of professional life".A source close to the company said many dancers were "very scared", worrying about their jobs and afraid of speaking out.Last year Leung was honoured at the annual Hong Kong Dance Alliance awards for her performance as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. Its chairwoman, Anna Chan Chung-ying, said: "It's disappointing the local audience won't be seeing such a fine dancer performing with the Hong Kong Ballet again." ||