‘Dancing Water’ Fills In For ‘Zala’

Cirque du Soleil in January canceled its production of “Zala” at the Venetian in Macau because of poor ticket sales, despite having finished only 3.5 years of a 10-year contract with Sands China Ltd., the owner of the resort.

However, at the same time that “Zala” was closing, another circus-like theatrical extravaganza called “House of Dancing Water” was actually turning away would-be patrons at a specially built theater not far away.

On most days, the 1,940-seat Dancing Water Theater is sold out for its two 90-minute performances.

The secret to the show’s success is in its Asian-specific content, according to Manila-based news service ABC-CBN.

Like Cirque du Soleil, the show contains acrobats and daring ensemble pieces featuring high wires and elaborate gadgetry, but the narrative and stylistic inspirations are all Chinese, while “Zala” was already a popular show in Vegas before it was exported to the Chinese territory.

Another big difference is the water component. The story involves a time-traveling Chinese sailor in a bamboo raft, and the theater is equipped with a 3.7-million gallon swimming pool incorporating hydraulic lifts.

Large sea vessels and pagodas emerge from the water allowing performers to do dramatic high dives into the pool.
There is also a flat, dry stage that appears almost magically as a platform for dancing, acrobatics and even stunts using motorcycles.

To top it off the stage is equipped with 239 water fountains that can spray geysers up to 18 meters into the air.
The show has won a raft of local awards and has already been seen by more than 1 million people since it opened in September.