Al Shindagah

Al Shindagah | Issue 137 | 17 of training to ensure the artists to be at a constant high level of performance. Our priority is the safety and security of our artists. Their exceptional physical condition assures the best response to the risk they consent to take at each show. The architecture of the theatre will put the spectator very close to the performers themselves, so close that they will feel the blow of their extreme performances. What does it involve to keep the cast at their optimum? We have more than 23 nationalities under our roof; from the very experienced technicians and artists to the younger world- class athletes, where this is their first artistic experience. We are a metaphor of Dubai and a family, where there is rigor and hard work, but also freedom and caring for each other. For me, the communication and the transmission of knowledge is essential; in my relationship with the artists, I always try to understand them and to make them grow and progress. This trust is built during the creation process, up to the launch of the show to offer a spectacular performance. What do you hope the audience will take away from the show? And what will make them want to come back? The goal of La Perle is to place the human at a universal crossroad of traditions and future, knowledge and technology, in the laboratory of the future that is the La Perle theatre. We can, with the video projections, immerse the spectator in a synergy that combines the more traditional entertainment with the 21st century technology. What I wanted to create is a convergence of various artistic disciplines with dance, acrobatic, circus disciplines, cinema and artistic assets. I want to offer the opportunity to the spectator to live an emotional and spiritual experience that will last. And this experience will be different when they will see the show again because there is an infinity of perception possibilities. What are the biggest challenges in a show of this magnitude? The risk management, of course; every performer risks their life to keep the suspense and the spectator speechless. For example, one of the acts of the show features motorcycles in a Globe. Everything needs to be perfectly planned. Beyond this essential material/ physical dimension, the biggest challenge is to deliver an artistic show that fits with Al Habtoor City. How did the relationship with the Al Habtoors come about? In 2013, we premiered A Story of a Fort in Abu Dhabi, in homage to the 250 years of Emirates history and to the Bedouin culture. Al Habtoor Group have been charmed by what they had seen and wanted to create with us a unique show in Dubai. We felt very touched by this opportunity as we wanted to explore deeper this fascinating Emirate that is Dubai, where culture, history coexists to show promises of a future. What are you next plans? Vacation! More seriously, we have many projects around the world that are waiting to be launched: the work - my work - never stops. I will immediately do a tour, visiting all of our shows around the globe, like in Macau, where we have new shows in development. Huge shows we have created like those need to be constantly revised and improved so they can last many more years. This is why I never loose contact with them and it also means that I will often come back to Dubai – something I am delighted about. Every performer risks their life to keep the suspense and the spectator speechless.