After a five-year hiatus, the world’s largest water-based show, House of Dancing Water, is ready to make a splash in the refurbished Dancing Water Theater at City of Dreams Macau on May 9.
When the popular aquatic show debuted in 2010, the theater’s massive pool and multi-level stage attracted 6 million spectators during its initial run. After a $40 million overhaul, the production returns, promising a bigger and bolder spectacle.
The revamped House of Dancing Water is part of an ongoing effort to help establish Macau as a tourism destination that offers much more than gambling. Though the Cotai integrated resort — which also houses Five-Star hotels Morpheus and Nüwa Macau and Four-Star Grand Hyatt Macau along with numerous fine-dining restaurants and top spas — has become a cultural attraction on its own.
Along with this new offering, Melco’s City of Dreams showcases an impressive contemporary art collection with works from the likes of Takashi Murakami, Zhao Zhao and KAWS and striking futuristic architecture with the Zaha Hadid-designed Morpheus.
Here’s everything you need to know about the exciting additions to Macau’s longest-running resident show.
New Faces
During the show’s original run, the story told of a brave stranger who embarks on a mission to rescue Princess Aani, a prisoner of the Dark Queen. The tale creatively blended elements of Chinese mythology with a modern adventure. In this revival, reimagined by Giuliano Peparini, familiar characters return, but the story uses a more contemporary format. Fans can also look forward to meeting new personalities, such as the charming Sailor, who adds moments of comic relief to the production.
House of Dancing Water features a 300-person cast, including acrobats, stunt performers, motorcyclists, certified divers and stage technicians, significantly increasing from the previous iteration’s 160 cast and crew members. In another new twist, the performance begins before the show starts. As audience members find their seats, the cast will greet and interact with them, adding another immersive layer to the show’s overall experience.
Stage Magic
Much of the show’s magic lies in its ability to convert seamlessly from an expansive pool — the world’s largest commercial pool holds 3.7 million gallons of water — into a dry platform in less than one minute. This quick transformation keeps viewers submerged in the storyline. Cutting-edge features such as hydraulic elevators, precision lighting, lasers and sophisticated projection technology only add to the stunning visual scene.
Audiences should look out for several breathtaking new set pieces, including the Magic Garden, the Aquarium Cage and the city of the Future, all brought to life with the high-tech capabilities of the stage. Additionally, bold stunts — the show-stopping Human Chandelier involves synchronized acrobats and actual flying chandeliers — are sure to keep audiences captivated.
It’s a testament to costume designer Valentina Davoli and stylist Connie Dyson, whose resumé includes Harry Potter and the Cursed Child theatrical production, that the performers don’t get lost in the on-stage shuffle. The 24 new costume designs’ striking silhouettes and multi-textures still have a decidedly modern feel, adding to the production’s shared ethos of innovation. Of course, the Swarovski crystals incorporated into the characters’ headpieces and props don’t hurt the jaw-dropping factor, either.
Sights and Sounds
The newly refurbished Dancing Water Theater has a 2,000-spectator capacity. The venue has improved sightlines, meaning anywhere you sit in the circular, 270-degree theater, you’ll have a great view of the show.
As if the performance weren’t already a feast for the senses, a full symphony orchestra recorded the score for the revival, creating a lush, enveloping soundscape that amplifies the emotional weight of every scene, from breathless action to the more intimate moments.
