Dubai to launch world’s highest theatre venue

Dubai is already home to the world’s tallest tower, the world’s highest hotel suite and the region’s only indoor ski resort, but next month it will add the world’s highest theatre to the list and backers of the new cabaret venue claim they are “looking to push the boundaries” of what is currently on offer in Dubai’s nightlife.

March will see the launch of a new theatre on the 42nd and 43rd floor of the Shangri La hotel on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road and will be the highest theatre in the world, its backers claimed.

The new addition to Dubai’s nightlife will be home to the first Middle Eastern outpost of a series of cabaret-style clubs already popular in New York, London and Vegas.

The clubs have attracted a healthy mix of celebrity clientele and investors, with actor Jude Law, Oscar-winning actress Rachel Weisz and musician Moby listed as backers of the Manhattan venue and Britain's Prince Harry, model Kate Moss and several Premiership footballers reportedly regulars to the London outlet.

Opened in 2011, London’s ‘The Box’ has received mass media coverage and tables cost up to £3,000 (US$4716) a night.

The Dubai version will be known as ‘The Act’ – similar to the Vegas venue – but organisers said the UAE version will be a toned down version of those already operating internationally.

“There will still be lots of incredible live performances from all over the world but with more of an emphasis of humour, skill and spectacle,” Simon Hammerstein from Variety Worldwide, the company behind the club, told Arabian Business. “We are still looking to push the boundaries where we can to bring a diverse and unique concept to the Dubai nightlife.

“Being the world’s highest theatre has got to be one of our unique selling points along with being the first theatre club with dining in the region. As well as that we really set ourselves apart with the international acts that we will be flying in from all over the world including Russia, US, Germany, France and Japan.

"We look to be very exciting and unpredictable with no night being the same. Dubai is in for an unexpected surprise, one which they won’t have experienced before,” he added.