New Performing Art Landmark in Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Macao’s Return to the Motherland
[December 15, 2024, Macau] Seven years after the opening of the MGM Theater, its first-ever residency show makes its debut today! On the historic occasion of the 25th Anniversary of Macao’s Return to the Motherland, MGM has joined hands with the internationally acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou to present a groundbreaking residency show – Macau 2049 at the MGM Theater. The premiere of Macau 2049 was held today with an opening ceremony officiated by Pansy Ho, Chairperson and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited and Zhang Yimou, Chief Director of Macau 2049. This show not only serves as a world-class display platform for Chinese intangible cultural heritage, but also offers an innovative stage for multi-cultural exchange. These endeavors aim to further strengthen Macao as the “City of Performing Arts" while injecting vitality into the city’s cultural tourism industry.
Unlike those traditional performances that can only present a single kind of culture in one performance, Macau 2049 is an 80-minute show comprised of eight chapters, namely Drumming·Shadows, Khoomei·Ethereal, Miao Songs·Transcendent, The Crossroads Inn·Masks, Yangge · Robots, Yi Song·Ocean, Lion Dance·Radiance and Storytelling·Origin. Throughout the show, audiences can enjoy a virtual trip around China, immersing themselves in its diverse customs and culture. It merges advanced technologies from 20 countries and regions, bringing brand-new interpretations of Chinese intangible cultural heritage––Hua’er, Khoomei, Song and Dance of The Miao People, Peking Opera, Yangge, Yi Song, Lion Dance and Storytelling in North Shaanxi. This fusion also gives form to a profound ideological expression unprecedented on stage.
In a bid to enable audiences worldwide to better appreciate and understand traditional Chinese cultures, the show is interpreted in eight international languages to break through language barriers. The show has also invited inheritors of these Chinese intangible cultural heritage to sing live and perform to present the most authentic performance in Macao.
Zhang Yimou, Chief Director of Macau 2049, said, “If we view the progression of civilization through a linear lens, one end represents the 5,000 years of ancient civilization, while the other signifies a future driven by rapid technological advancement. Macau 2049 brings together the two ends of time and space at this moment, converging horizons of East and West in this place. We seek harmony without uniformity, thus celebrating the diversity of civilizations around the world. I hope this show in Macao will create an unparalleled performance for everyone.”
Pansy Ho, Chairperson and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited, said, “Macao is a melting pot of Chinese and Western cultures, and we hope to truly integrate both cultures into the show. Macau 2049 opens up new pathways for preserving, innovating, and promoting intangible cultural heritage in modern society. The show enables audiences to appreciate the charm of traditional culture and infinite possibilities of advanced technology. It also acts as a catalyst for the growth and development of the performing arts industry in Macao.”
Macau 2049 is a pioneering production that redefines artistic expression by boldly merging traditional art with modern technology, crafting an innovative stage language. It explores the rich cultural heritage of diverse ethnic groups, seamlessly incorporating these treasures into a unified artistic narrative, showcasing Macao’s distinctive appeal as a global cultural hub. This cross-cultural, interdisciplinary creation establishes a new standard for performance-driven tourism and serves as an invaluable contribution to the development of the international performing arts industry.
To invite audiences to explore the perfect combination of technology and art beyond the residency show, MGM unveiled the mechanical flipping matrix kinetic art installation “The Dancing Lion: Rise of Good Fortune" at the Lion Lobby in MGM COTAI. The prototype of the installation comes from the chapter “Lion Dance · Radiance" of Macau 2049, which was crafted over a year of meticulous design and refinement. The lion weaves together diverse cultural elements, including Chinese Jade, Egyptian sculpture, and pixel aesthetics, integrating both ancient and modern influences, whilst using technology to execute the mechanical flipping matrix and dynamic graphic displays.
From now onwards, Macau 2049 is staged at the MGM Theater, with tickets now available for sale. For more ticketing details, please visit: https://www.mgm.mo/en/cotai/entertainment/Macau2049
