The Al Habtoor Group has revealed details of its plans for a 1300-seat theatre that will form part of the group’s ‘Habtoor Palace’ development, the three hotel, 1612 room, AED1.33 billion (US $354 million) Dubai mega-project, due to be completed in 2016.
The theatre, that will adjoin the development’s Westin, St Regis and W hotels, will be designed and managed by Al Habtoors partners Franco Dragone Entertainment Group. Founded by Italian-Belgian theatre director Franco Dragone, renowned for creating Cirque du Soleil, the company has signed a exclusive deal with Al Habtoor to create a ‘Vegas style’ live entertainment production that will, according to Dragone "run to at least 10 shows a week.”
Speaking exclusively to Hotelier Middle East Dragone said: “I am looking forward to bringing to Dubai some of the best performers in the world and we plan to turn Dubai into a world-class show destination. Our specially designed theatre will mean rather than only watching the show, the audience will feel part of the show and we are working very hard to ensure that what we create will still seem exciting and groundbreaking when the theatre opens in 2016.”
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The circular-based theatre, centred around a pool with various diving boards and high wires, is being designed by Paris-based Jean Rabasse and will be tall enough for performers to dive from up to 30 metres into a pool that will be 12 meters deep and hold 2 million litres of water.
Al Habtoor Group CEO and vice chairman Mohammed Al Habtoor said: “This show is going to be a destination – people will come for the theatre and then Dubai. It will bring added value to the city and increase tourism.”
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