First permanent show in Asia
The first permanent Cirque du Soleil production to open in Asia premiered recently at The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel on the Cotai Strip in Macau, China.
Opened to celebrate the first anniversary of The Venetian on August 28, Zaia is staged inside a purpose-built 1,800-seat arena and brings to life a young girl’s dreams of going into space. Taking its title comes from the Greek word for “life,” the show fuses innovative acrobatics, dance, spectacular costumes, lighting and a panoply of out-of-this-world creatures.
Zaia plays daily from Tuesday to Sunday, with two performances a day from Thursdays onwards. Creating the show, including the theatre, has cost in excess US$150 million (?106m).
“We are extremely excited to bring this unique show to the Cotai Strip as our first permanent step in Asia,” says Cirque du Soleil president and CEO, Daniel Lamarre. “The creative challenge is very interesting for us as this area has yet to be developed for its entertainment offers.”
Cirque du Soleil’s arrival in Macau is expected to stimulate the casino market where, despite gaming revenues higher than Las Vegas, there are so far few of the additional entertainment options associated with its American counterpart.
Prior to this permanent production, Cirque du Soleil presented touring shows in 13 Asian cities including Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Seoul and Tokyo.
