A show by renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou will take up residency at the MGM Theatre in Cotai this December, the gaming concessionaire announced at a press conference and launch event yesterday evening.
Entitled MGM 2049, the show is billed as Zhang’s “first and only” residency project in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), and is described by the 74-year-old filmmaker as a “unique” stage show that combines elements of Chinese culture with modern technology. He says the show will be staged daily.
“MGM 2049 will be a fusion of international perspectives, Eastern artistic ingenuity and futuristic design elements,” the director told media yesterday.
While details about the show’s content have yet to be divulged, MGM’s chairperson and executive director, Pansy Ho, who spoke at the event, revealed that it would tackle the themes of destiny, history and the need to protect intangible culture.
She said that she had first conceived of building a state-of-the-art theatre back in 2017 and had waited until this year to launch the venue’s first long-term residency, because she wanted it to be directed by Zhang.
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“I waited seven years for director Zhang and the experts [involved in the project],” Ho pointed out, “because they have an even better subject matter that they want to share with everyone…We are not simply presenting a theatre show. We are presenting real people, as well as the lifestyles and culture of ordinary people”
When asked about why he was drawn to the project, Zhang – who has staged other major productions including the 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony – said he was struck by Ho’s sincerity, as well as the opportunity to showcase culture from different areas in China, and by the chance to work in the high-tech MGM Theatre.
Other guests who spoke at yesterday’s event included music director Wu Tong; dance director Sang Jia; visual director Domnic Faraway, and underwater cinematographer, Bernard Prentice.
A global recruitment program has now been launched for MGM 2049, with 200 available positions for performers, dancers, instructors and stage managers.
