Cirque Macau Show Closes Early

Cirque du Soleil has closed its “Zaia” show in Macau, six and a half years before its contract was to end.

The Feb. 19 performance at the Venetian Macao gambling resort was its last, according to media reports quoting Cirque du Soleil’s representative Renee-Claude Menard.

The theatrical company had a 10-year contract with the owner of the Venetian Macao, Sands China Ltd., but was forced to end it because of poor ticket sales.

Menard told The Gazette the “market was not shifting from a gaming-only to a destination market,” which is apparently what was expected when the contract was signed.

Though Macau has become a successful gambling destination, most visitors don’t do anything else. The average stay in the territory is only 1.5 nights.

Most Macau tourists don’t find the entertainment options very interesting, according to a report on CNN. One consultant, David Green, told the Macau Daily Times that the “Zaia” closure was “a one-off decision.”

“That particular show didn’t play to its market,” Green said. “It was a transplant from a Western market.”

Green added that a rival show developed specifically for Asian audiences has done well.