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Dive into theatre and acrobatics at La Perle
Mon 24 August 2020
Dubai's resident aqua stage show at Al Habtoor City is an experience you must see to believe.
Dubai's resident aqua stage show at Al Habtoor City is an experience you must see to believe.
Masterminded by theatre extraordinaire Franco Dragone, La Perle's mysterious storyline, talented performers and state-of-the-art aqua theatre are making waves at the city's first permanent show.
Since opening in August 2017, the live aqua show, which takes place in a hi-tech, purpose built theatre in Al Habtoor City, is the hottest ticket in town. Featuring world-class acrobats diving from a height of 25m and ‘flying’ around the auditorium on high-powered winches at speeds of up to 15km/h, it is a sight to behold. But you’d expect nothing less from legendary artistic director Franco Dragone. The force behind sell-out spectaculars around the world, Franco has pulled out all the stops to ensure La Perle raises the bar for entertainment in the region.
During the show, water takes a starring role – all 2.7 million litres of it. Watch in wonder as the stage transforms from wet to dry back again in a matter of seconds. It is a visual and emotional experience that, in the words of the show’s founder, “will ignite the heart and soul of everyone in the audience and will have people sitting on the edge of their chairs”.
“I first started working with water when I directed the show O in Las Vegas,” he reveals. “Initially, I was scared to work with water but, in fact, the water helped me to calm down because you have to follow the water. The water flows – you have to become the water and understand it.”
Out of the ordinary
Inspired by Dubai, a place that Dragone refers to as the “laboratory of the future,” the grand production fuses the finest in artistic performance, creative imagery and brilliant technology.
Bringing the vision to life has been years in the making. “When I begin to work on the show, I look and listen and try to emerge myself in the region and into the eyes of the people,” says Franco. “This is an audacious adventure. This is a complex show, the likes of which has never been done in Dubai before.
La Perle is a show that combines the spirit of Dubai with an iconic 860sqm ‘aqua-stage’. The custom-built theatre was constructed around the show’s concept and is inspired by the vibrancy of this city. La Perle has it all – cascading waterfalls, fast-paced acrobatics, a 25m high dive and fantastical characters. Dragone hopes the production leaves visitors enthraled and makes them forget the world outside the theatre for a couple of hours. “We are dreamers, but we also want to have an impact and we hope that is a little bit of peace, a little flavour of eternity,” he said.
Just the ticket
The 1,300 seat venue is designed for maximum impact. With only 14 rows, seating is wrapped 270 degrees around the aqua-stage, creating an intimate experience. There’s no room for disappointment as every seat offers its own unique views. We’d recommend booking in Row N for the Silver category or Row A in Gold for a more central perspective.
For a special occasion, splurge on a VIP ticket. You’ll be welcomed to a private lounge for pre-show bites before being escorted to luxurious theatre lounge chairs, positioned for premium views. Nights out in Dubai present the perfect excuse to glam up so remember to dress to impress!
There’s much to explore at Al Habtoor City on Sheikh Zayed Road. The district comprises three five-star hotels, a vibrant marina promenade as well as stylish cafes and restaurants. For a memorable dinner, book a table at British eatery Rose and Crown at The Atrium, or savour signature French fare at BQ - French Kitchen, located at Habtoor Palace.
A short 20-minute drive from the airport, you can easily hail a taxi to Al Habtoor City from the roadside or pre-book one by calling +971 4 208 0808. If you’re arriving via the Dubai Metro, just alight at the Business Bay metro station on the Red Line and La Perle is a quick five-minute taxi ride away.
When’s the next show?
La Perle takes place twice a night, five days a week. Performances from Tuesday to Friday are at 7pm and 9:30pm, and Saturdays at 4pm and 7pm. Check out Dubai Calendar for all the latest listings.
