Cirque du Soleil returning to Dubai next year

BIG TOP: Cirque du Soleil will perform its Alegria show from March 5 to April 5 at Ibn Battuta Mall. (Getty Images)

Cirque du Soleil will return to Dubai for a month-long run early next year with its big top show Alegria, Dubai-based real estate developer Nakheel said on Wednesday.

Nakheel said the Canadian circus would perform from March 5 to April 5 at Ibn Battuta Mall, the same venue at which Cirque du Soleil performed its show Quidam in 2007.

It said an international cast of 55 acrobats, musicians, singers, clowns and characters would perform over two hours at the mall in front of 2,500 spectators.

Alegria's main theme is described as a the abuse of power and the subsequent struggle for freedom

The show makes use of darker lighting and music than other Cirque du Soleil productions and the stage and the props use gothic arches and harsh angular designs to attempt to invoke a feeling of oppressiveness.

Nakheel last year struck a partnership with Cirque du Soleil to develop a permanent show on Nakheel's Palm Jumeirah. The show will be held in a purpose-build 1,800-seat theatre from 2011 and is expected to run over 15 years.

Dubai investment vehicle Istithmar World earlier this year acquired a 20 percent stake in Cirque du Soleil.

Istithmar World and Nakheel are part of state-owned conglomerate Dubai World.

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READERS' COMMENTS

That's good news
Posted by Mohamed Al Hashemi, Abu Dhabi on Thursday 20 November 2008 at 08:05 UAE time

I have been waiting for a Cirque du Soleil performance here in 2008, so I’m very happy to know they’re coming in Q1 2009. Their shows are always creative, imaginative and immerse you with that beautiful music.

Quidam was great and Algeria also a classic, but why don’t they bring the new touring shows like Kooza.

I hope they make new and special resident performances when they become permanent with Nakheel.

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