MACAU – The House of Dancing Water, a production costing more than HK$2 billion in a purpose-built venue at the City of Dreams, is set to open its doors to the public on September 17, 2010.

 

Story by Pauline Tan

 

Created and directed by Franco Dragone, The House of Dancing Water is an epic adventure of love lost and found, in a mystical and thrilling setting. The water-based show is tailor-made for the vast Chinese and Asian market by drawing creative inspiration from Chinese culture and the “seven emotion principles inherent in classical Confucian beliefs – something that Asians can relate to and embrace easily,” Melco Crown Entertainment vice-president of entertainment and projects, Sunny Yu, said.

 

The show will play a pivotal part in establishing the City of Dreams as a multi-day stay resort, in a city more commonly visited on a short itinerary. The Dancing Water Theater designed by renowned Pei Partnership, contains one of the most impressive commercial pools in the world. It holds about 3.7 million gallons of water, more than five Olympic-sized swimming pools.

 

Macau Government Tourist Office marketing representative, Grace Tong, told micenet Asia: “This new show will add glamour and is definitely an additional reason for visitors to stay longer. It would be an exciting addition to MICE programmes as it features Chinese culture in theatrical form.”

 

The 2000-seat, 270-degree venue has a central stage with a diameter of about 65 feet, 258 automated fountains and 11 ten-ton elevators to convert from an aquatic to solid floor stage. More than 700 performers, musicians and acrobats were auditioned across five continents over two years, and the final Macau show cast comprises 77 performers: 32 acrobats; 12 members of the Tanzanian group Pyramid; six contortionists; and dancers, musicians, motorcycle stuntmen and actors. The show is supported by 130 production staff, technicians and professional divers.

 

The House of Dancing Water is scheduled to run from 20.00 every Wednesday to Sunday, with an additional 17.00 show on Fridays to Sundays. Ticket prices for the show, which lasts about 70 minutes, range from HK$380 to HK$1280 for adults, and HK$270 to HK$1280 for children.

 

Tickets are available online at www.cityofdreamsmacau.com; www.thehouseofdancingwater.com; www.macau.com, www.cityline.com and www.sistic.com.