Premiering in September 2010 at City of Dreams, The House of Dancing Water was a visionary creation by artistic maestro Franco Dragone that became a cultural landmark in Macau. Now, after a five-year hiatus brought on by the pandemic, the revitalized House of Dancing Water will return from 7 May.
Since its debut in 2010, The House of Dancing Water has been performed nearly 4,000 times. The production, which took five years to create and involved an investment of over HK$2 billion, garnered global attention. Its custom-built theater was designed by the internationally renowned Pei Architects, while the interior was brought to life by Michel Crête – scenic designer for creative company Dragone – forming a 2,000-seat circular venue equipped with some of the world’s most advanced stage technologies.
At the heart of the theater is a pool holding 3.7 million gallons of water – equivalent to five Olympic-sized swimming pools. The venue features a state-of-the-art lifting platform system, sophisticated water pressure controls and precision lighting and sound technologies, delivering an immersive experience for both performers and spectators.
The core charm of The House of Dancing Water over the years has centered around its perfect combination of water, light, sound, dance and acrobatics. Featuring performers from more than 30 countries, the show has famously balanced heart-stopping aerial stunts with deeply expressive dance and theatrical elements. Combined with dazzling costumes, stunning set design and water dance interwoven with technical special effects, the audience is transported into a flowing fantasy world.
However, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought countless cultural and entertainment productions to a standstill, and The House of Dancing Water was no exception. On 19 June 2020, the show was officially paused. Originally, it was expected to be suspended for only one year, but the continuous impact of the pandemic ultimately forced a lengthy five-year hiatus.
Now, the new-look House of Dancing Water – minus the “The” at the start – will finally make its long-awaited return, with a premiere taking place on 7 May. Having undergone a comprehensive reimagining, with artistic direction by Giuliano Peparini of Peparini Studios and creative design by the team of Our Legacy Creations, the popular residency show is said to preserve the essence of the original while introducing a richer storyline and cutting-edge stage effects.
“For me, this performance should not just be visually stunning but touch people’s hearts,” said Peparini at a recent launch event.
“The new version will be a seamless fusion of acrobatics, dance, stunts and theatrical performance, expressed in a way that is more in line with the contemporary art context.”
The updated House of Dancing Water centers around a romantic love story while aiming to break through the boundaries of traditional performances and bring the audience an unprecedented sensory experience, Melco said.
The upgraded 270-degree circular theater features a cutting-edge water pool stage, hydraulic elevator platforms, a 25-meter diving tower and a nine-meter-deep underwater pool, allowing the actors to add to the spectacle via high-altitude diving.
According to Melco, the Peparini Studios team has created 300 sets of costumes, 230 pairs of shoes and 80 wigs for the production, with over MOP$350,000 (US$43,780) worth of Swarovski crystals used for the headpieces and props. Most of the actors’ costumes are designed by the production team themselves to meet the needs of each role.
At the announcement of the show’s return, Melco Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho said, “We hope to inject new vitality into the development of arts and culture in Macau. This reimagined water performance will further consolidate Macau’s position as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure and lay the foundation for City of Dreams as a multi-day, immersive destination.”
