The National with wires
The region's first permanent artistic production, featuring 65 international dancers and aerialists, will launch in Dubai next year. La Perle, a water-themed show created by the world-renowned Italian-Belgian artistic director Franco Dragone, will have a permanent home at Habtoor City, with more than 450 performances a year in a tailor-made state-of-the-art 1,300-seater theatre. Dragone's other recent works include Celine Dion's show A New Day and Le Rêve in Las Vegas, and The House of Dancing Water in Macau. La Perle, inspired by the modernity of Dubai and the traditions of Arabia, will feature daredevil water and aerial stunts, with 70 specialised technicians. The theatre will have an "aqua-stage" filled with 2.5 million litres of water, powered by hydraulic lifts, and fountains. Visit www.laperle.com for more details. – The National
Family’s farewell to Prince
Prince’s body was cremated on Saturday during a private ceremony. A public musical event is also being planned. Spokeswoman Anna Meacham said: “Prince was celebrated by a small group of his most beloved: family, friends and his musicians in a private, beautiful ceremony to say a loving goodbye. Prince’s remains have been cremated and their final storage will remain private. An announcement will be made at a future date for a musical celebration.” Prince died on Thursday at his Paisley Park estate. – AFP
Opening dates for Dubai Opera
The new Dubai Opera has confirmed the dates for its first programme of shows. Tickets are on sale for 15 productions during the opening eight weeks of the new Downtown Dubai venue, with prices starting from Dh200, rising to Dh9,600 for VIP boxes. As previously announced, the season will open with a performance by Spanish tenor Placído Domingo on August 31. Bizet's opera The Pearl Fishers will be staged on September 1 and 3, alternating with Rossini's The Barber of Seville on September 2 and 4, both performed by Italy's Fondazione Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi (prices for both start from Dh350). Other dates include a Russian State Ballet performance of Coppélia on September 15 and 17 and Giselle on September 16, and the family musical Impossible on September 26 and 30. José Carreras performs on October 8, Sara Baras on October 13 to 14 and Anoushka Shankar on October 15. For the full schedule and tickets, visit www.dubaiopera.com. – The National
Quantico relocates to New York
The makers of Quantico, starring Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra, have shifted production of the popular new TV thriller from Canada to New York, lured by the state's lucrative production-incentive programme. It means the ABC drama will receive a tax credit covering about 30 per cent of production costs. Parts of Quantico, a suspense drama, are set in New York, but the show's pilot was shot in Atlanta, and filming for the remainder of the first season took place in Montreal. The New York state government estimates that the move will bring more than 200 jobs to the city. According to city officials, 46 TV shows are being shot in New York, up from 29 a year ago. ABC renewed Quantico for a second season last month. – IANS
Star confirms Jumanji remake
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson took to Instagram to confirm recent rumours that he is part of a planned remake of Jumanji and promised fans that it will "deliver something cool and special". The actor wrote: "It's official. We'll produce and deliver to a whole new generation a title that I love and is one of my all time faves: There's games you play for fun... then there's games that change your life. Jumanji. Working on edging up an already very good script with my @sevenbucksprod team ... Promise to deliver something cool and special ... Casting this should be fun!" Filming is due to begin in the autumn, with Jake Kasdan directing. The original Jumaji film, released in 1995, starred Robin Williams as a man who was trapped in a magical jungle-themed board game as a child. When two children find the game years later, they set him free, along with the animals and other destructive forces. – IANS
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Beyoncé drops a new musical film
Pop-star Beyoncé released a musically diverse new album in the form of a film over the weekend, which is a bold tribute to the perseverance of African-American women. Lemonade was advertised only as a special event on cable network HBO, but during it Beyoncé released an album of the same name. The sixth studio album by the 34-year-old singer, it features collaborations with critically acclaimed rapper Kendrick Lamar, garage rocker Jack White and The Weeknd. It also showcases a growing musical range from Beyoncé, who performs one song with an acoustic guitar, but elsewhere goes off into hip-hop and electronica. Beyoncé released the Lemonade album exclusively on the Tidal streaming service led by Jay-Z. It is her first full-length release since her chart-topping self-titled album in 2013. – AFP
Sarrainodu leaving its mark at box offices
The Telegu action-movie Sarrainodu, despite opening to mixed reviews, earned an impressive Rs 22 crore (Dh12.12 million) on its first day worldwide, making it the best-ever opening for actor Allu Arjun. Trade analyst Trinath said: "While the critics may not have enjoyed the film, the masses seem to have loved it." Directed by Boyapati Sreenu, the film also stars Rakul Preet Singh and Catherine Tresa. The film is also doing well at the box office overseas. In North America, the film has already crossed the US$500,000 mark. Produced by Geetha Arts, Sarrainodu was released in cinemas on Friday. – IANS
