Michael Jackson The Immortal, a tribute to the late King of Pop and Cirque du Soleil's largest grossing theatrical production, will be the highlight event of this year's Dubai Shopping Festival.
The world tour that has been attended by millions of Michael Jackson fans in 24 countries around the world making over US$340 million (Dh1.25bn) since it first premiered in 2011 will be in Dubai for 16 days from December 30 to January 14.
Conceptualised and directed by Jamie King, who toured with the star on his Dangerous World Tour, the show marries the adrenalin pumping numbers and routines of the man once known as the world’s greatest entertainer with the trademark theatrics and acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil, the Quebec-based production house.
“How can you not create a large show when you mix the world of Cirque du Soleil and that of Michael’s, who was a maverick in his field,” said King at yesterday’s press conference announcing the show, organised for the festival by Duvent, an arm of Meraas Leisure and Entertainment. “It is not only a rock-style show but a theatrical show. We literally go into Michael’s head and feel and see the essence that is Michael.”
More than 60 artists, acrobats, dances and musicians will depict the larger than life interpretation of the ideologies followed by the star, who died a few weeks before his biggest sold out performance This is It in 2009."This is kind of our way of saying goodbye," said King. "Michael was a showman and in the show you will experience some of that. We interpret it in a certain way. The music is larger than life, the dance and acrobatics are larger than life."
Renee-Claude Menard, the senior director of public relations at Cirque du Soleil, said this is the most ambitious project the group has ever attempted. “Michael was one of our biggest fans and wanted to work with us for a long time,” she said. “When he passed, we were so driven that we had to do this for him.”
The show will recreate about 35 of the artist's most popular songs, together with a mix of mash-ups and original tunes. "You will hear some pieces like Keep it in the Closet mixed into Dangerous," said King. "We creatively went down new roads with this.
”The finale will be to the backdrop of the Neverland Ranch with performers bringing their best for one of his biggest hits Black or White. Organisers said they were expecting more than 6,000 spectators for each show during the 16-day stop in Dubai. Fox said it is fitting to bring the show to the UAE. “I look at the huge buildings and the man-made islands and think, this looks illogical and this is Michael Jackson. He believe in what, at first, seems illogical.”
* Tickets for the show can be purchased on www.ticketmaster.ae and start at Dh295. Visit www.duvent.com
aahmed@thenational.ae
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Date started: early 2020
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