MGM China has announced the launch of its own residency show, MGM 2049, to debut at MGM Cotai in December.
MGM will launch its own Macau residency show later this year as part of a collaboration with world-renowned Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou.
The show MGM 2049 will debut at MGM Cotai’s MGM Theater in December, described as a “grand tribute” to the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macau’s return to the Motherland.
However, MGM said the show also aims to act as a catalyst to propel the city’s cultural and entertainment sectors towards new heights. Although residency shows have been few and far between in Macau over the years – a few notable exceptions aside – the Macau SAR Government has outlined its desire to transform Macau into a “City of Performing Arts” as part of its economic diversification initiatives. This, the government has explained, will establish a center of cultural tourism within the Greater Bay Area (GBA) while promoting Chinese culture to the world.
Directed by Zhang, MGM 2049 will become the filmmaker’s first and only residency within the GBA. According to MGM, the performance holds its shared vision with Zhang on cultural and talent cultivation – which is to draw on originality and technology to re-interpret traditional Chinese culture from a contemporary perspective.
The show will feature an esteemed line-up of global creative pioneers including Zhang and other top international professionals who will not only maximize the show’s creativity and content through technologies, but are set to inject their professional experience and knowledge to nurture local young talent. This promises to make MGM 2049 an unparalleled and unique performance hub that serves integrated functions of “preserving culture, cultivating talent and fostering Macau’s diversification”, further enhancing the international competitiveness of Macau’s performing arts.
“MGM 2049 has cemented MGM’s new milestone in cultural tourism,” said Pansy Ho, Chairperson and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited. “We are honored that Director Zhang has chosen MGM Theater as the stage where he works with first-rate international professionals to co-create his brand-new residency show in Macau.
“As the city enters a new era of ‘1+4’ diversified development, the launch of this residency at this juncture proves Zhang’s confidence in the future of Macau’s entertainment industry. We both endeavor to transform the show into a distinguished drawcard of cultural tourism.
“It will showcase an innovative presentation of Chinese cultural heritage, which is empowered by the synergy of originality and technology. What makes MGM 2049 more far-reaching and pioneering is that it enables the participation of the younger generation, as we aspire to take the leading role to develop original content and distinct standards, while injecting vitality and sustainability into Macau’s entertainment sector. We wish to extend Macau’s influence of ‘City of Performing Arts’ into the GBA and promote Chinese culture further afield to the rest of the world.”
Zhang added, “As an international ‘City of Performing Arts’, Macau carries the mission of preserving heritage with innovations. We have picked Macau as the base for this creative residency show, as we hope to leverage the international tourism platform of Macau to deepen the global reach of Chinese culture.
“MGM 2049 will be a fusion of international perspectives, Eastern artistic ingenuity, and futuristic design elements. The show will harness technology and innovation to bolster Chinese cultural confidence and captivate global audiences with China’s cultural prowess.”
In preparation for the show, MGM hosted in April the “MGM 2049: Symposium and Global Recruitment Program Kick-off Ceremony” where Zhang and the show’s global creative team came together in Macau to share insights into the residency show’s concept. MGM also kicked off its “Global Recruitment Program”, which offers various job opportunities to aspiring young people interested in pursuing a career in performing arts. The company is offering over 200 positions for global candidates with on-the-job training opportunities covering several areas, including actors, dancers, art directors, cast managers, performance managers, theater technicians and more.
