ZAİA ending 3-year run at Venetian Macao this month

ZAİA, Cirque du Soleil’s first resident show in Asia based in The Venetian Macao, is staging its final performance after a three year run.
Sands China and Cirque du Soleil announced yesterday that ZAİA, the stage production which has impressed its crowds since opening in August 2008, will be performed for the final time on February 19, 2012. The two companies said that ZAİA had opened the door for a new era of entertainment in Macau.
ZAİA is a 90-minute show featuring 75 famous artists from around the world, directed by Neilson Vignola and Gilles Maheu. It presents a young girl’s perception of the stars and planets, space and infinity. The title comes from a Greek name meaning “life” and is also reminiscent of Gaia, the living and self-aware spirit of Earth.
“We’ve had an amazing three-year run of a truly phenomenal show with ZAiA,” said Mr. Liem, Vice President of Entertainment, Venetian Macau Limited. “It has been our pleasure at The Venetian Macao to host one of the region’s premier must-see performances. We’ve had a wonderful partnership with Cirque du Soleil, and we look forward to continuing our relationship in the future.”
Cirque du Soleil and Sands China also revealed that they were currently discussing a variety of options for working together on other projects. They said that “both organizations are excited by what might come next”, without disclosing details of any possible new shows.
Sands China said yesterday that the company was expanding its entertainment offering, which included a redesigned multi-purpose theatre at Venetian Macao, and new entertainment options at Sands Cotai Central, hoping to usher in a new era of entertainment in the city.
The company invested over USD100 million in building the theatre in 2008, leading to a three-year run with Cirque du Soleil. “In view of the market trend and customer demand,” Sands said, “the company will again be investing to redesign the theatre to open up a new world of exciting entertainment.”