Cast of int'l performers, stuntmen, preparing for Macau's City of Dreams
By Channel NewsAsia's Leslie Tang | Posted: 17 November 2009 1954 hrs

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Lint, BELGIUM: A cast of international performers, stuntmen and scuba-divers in Europe are busy preparing for the latest live show to wow audiences in Asia.

The US$250 million water-based production will have a permanent home in Macau's City of Dreams.

Creative minds are colliding under one roof in Belgium's Studio 12.

In the hopes of taking live theatrics to new heights, an international cast has been putting themselves through performance "bootcamp" for the past 10 months. This is all in preparation for a water-based spectacle to hit the stage in Macau.

The show will combine acrobatics, dance and even freestyle motorcycle stunts. The production will be staged in a custom-built theatre in the Cotai Strip's latest casino-resort, City of Dreams.

It will house a pool holding 3.7 million gallons of water - equal to more than five Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The yet un-named show will be directed by Franco Dragone, the creative force behind various Cirque du Soleil productions and aquatic extravaganza "Le Reve" in Las Vegas.

Dragone said he found inspiration in China and the show is sure to have spectators on the edge of their seats.

Franco Dragone, founder, Franco Dragone Entertainment Group, said: "I saw China as a beautiful woman that people try to seduce. And I created a princess. I created a character that is falling in love with somebody.

"We have choreography, flying motorcycles and even a boat that's going to sink live in front the audience. If we don't impress them, I will change my job!"

Many of the artists are ex-Olympic athletes with no previous show experience.

Xu Tao, performer, said: "It's very different because this is a water show and I have never done anything like this before."

In order to prevent performers from getting too cold as they get in and out of the water, the pool and the area around it is kept at a temperature of about 28 degrees.

In "Le Reve", a team of scuba divers act as underwater stagehands and are responsible for the artists.

Greg Vanloock, scuba diver, said: "We help them to travel from one air station to another air station to put them in standby position before they go onstage. And the second part of our job is of course to keep them safe."

Opening night is expected to kick off within the first half of 2010. - CNA/vm