Michael Jackson's Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil: A review

Cirque du Soleil's highest-grossing show (Dh1.25 billion since the premiere in 2011) started a 16-night run at the Dubai World Trade Centre Monday night. The National's Arts&Life photo editor, Olga Camacho, was there

What do you get when you combine a mime, a pole dancer, a one-legged basketball player and a dancing chimp? The Cirque du Soleil tribute to Michael Jackson, of course.

The show debuted at the Dubai World Trade Center last night to an almost sold-out crowd. It quickly builds momentum and is its best when combining the two things you’d expect: the high-flying acrobatic moves of Cirque with the high-energy songs of Michael Jackson.

However too-often it has a TV variety show-feel to it, with simple dance moves that seemed miniscule on an arena stage.

A mime dressed all in white, who seems to portray the visiting spirit of Jackson, kicks off the production and makes appearances throughout the two-hour show (with a twenty minute intermission.) While he’s very good at what he does, the bits seemed out of place in a tribute to the King of Pop.

When Jackson is projected larger than life as a young boy singing I'll Be There it's a sad reminder, not only of his amazing talent shut down too early, but of how he looked before countless surgeries made him almost unrecognisable.

A highlight in the second act comes when dancers dressed in silver robotic outfits, with flashing LED breastplates, fill the stage for "They Don't Care About Us. It's reportedly the same choreography that was approved by Jackson and would have been used in his This Is It 2009 London concert series.

The high energy Scream, with it's five flying acrobatics, Smooth Criminal, Thriller and Billie Jean seemed to excite the crowd the most.

For those true Michael Jackson fans who were looking forward to what he was calling his final concert tour, this may be as close to seeing the real thing as you can get. The show tries to put Jackson in the arena by using voice-overs and flashing his image on up to nine video screens and at times it does almost feel like he's in the room.

It’s been four-and-a-half years since Michael Jackson died, but his legacy lives on through the show. If you’re a fan of the gloved one you’ll probably love it. If you’re more of a Cirque fan, the show could disappoint because too often it’s more about the music than the acrobatics.

*Michael Jackson The Immortal Tour by Cirque du Soleil continues at the World Trade Center in Dubai until January 14. Tickets through Ticketmaster, prices start at Dh221and go up to Dh2,295.

How to apply for a drone permit

Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
Submit their request

What are the regulations?

Fly it within visual line of sight
Never over populated areas
Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
Should have a live feed of the drone flight
Drones must weigh 5 kg or less

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed

Rating: 1/5

Key facilities

Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

What is Diwali?

The Hindu festival is at once a celebration of the autumn harvest and the triumph of good over evil, as outlined in the Ramayana.

According to the Sanskrit epic, penned by the sage Valmiki, Diwali marks the time that the exiled king Rama – a mortal with superhuman powers – returned home to the city of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after vanquishing the 10-headed demon Ravana and conquering his kingdom of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit thousands of earthen lamps to illuminate the city and to guide the royal family home.

In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.

Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

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The biog

Year of birth: 1988

Place of birth: Baghdad

Education: PhD student and co-researcher at Greifswald University, Germany

Hobbies: Ping Pong, swimming, reading

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