Macao Dancing Water Theater

The iconic 2,000-seat theater is located in the City of Dreams, an urban entertainment resort developed by Melco Crown Entertainment Limited in Macao. The design of the theater, the venue for a spectacular water-based show, involved extraordinary technical and creative challenges.

LOCATION: Macau SAR

CLIENT: Melco Crown Entertainment, Ltd

SIZE: 204,514 SQ.FT/26,000 SQ.M

COMPLETED: 2010

CATEGORY: Cultural

IMAGES: Kristopher Grunert, Melco

Taking inspiration from the unique and dynamic characteristics of the Franco Dragone production housed in the theater, the building wraps in a modulated “skin” that captures the sense of movement so characteristic of the drama unfolding inside. Set at the northeast corner of the City of Dreams development at the intersection of North and East Roads, the theater serves as an anchoring counterbalance for the main water feature at the west entrance.

The show itself presents a narrative storyline inspired by Chinese culture and folklore within the vision and interpretation of a Dragone production. The audience is captivated by an array of performances comprising an international cast of dancers, synchronized swimmers, high divers, motorcycle stuntmen, contortionists, acrobats, and aerialists. The show incorporates various design elements, such as fire, water effects, atmospheric effects (mist, fog, smoke, etc.) and scenic ingredients that create the fantastic world inhabited by the characters and performers of this adventure. The 77-strong cast of international performance artists and 130-strong production and technical members have been recruited from 18 countries around the world.