Fontana, a travelling water circus produced by Cirque Du Liban in Lebanon, is at Dubai Festival City. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
Fontana, a travelling water circus produced by Cirque Du Liban in Lebanon, is at Dubai Festival City. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
The National went behind the scenes with the performers ahead of the show.
The National went behind the scenes with the performers ahead of the show.
The show features trapeze artists.
The show features trapeze artists.
Bright costumes are the norm throughout the show.
Bright costumes are the norm throughout the show.
The people involved in the show are from more than 20 countries and speak more than 15 languages.
The people involved in the show are from more than 20 countries and speak more than 15 languages.
Duo Del Comedia, a Spanish comedy pair, have been getting rave reviews.
Duo Del Comedia, a Spanish comedy pair, have been getting rave reviews.
Music plays a large part in the show.
Music plays a large part in the show.
A variety of dance performances are featured.
A variety of dance performances are featured.
A performer gears up for the show.
A performer gears up for the show.
Performers practise between three and six hours a day, depending on how many shows they have.
Performers practise between three and six hours a day, depending on how many shows they have.
Applying makeup ahead of showtime.
Applying makeup ahead of showtime.
Aerial performers wow the crowds.
Aerial performers wow the crowds.
A trio of aerial artists show off their skills.
A trio of aerial artists show off their skills.
About 35,000 gallons of water are used in the Fontana fountains.
About 35,000 gallons of water are used in the Fontana fountains.
The show runs in Dubai until December 31.
The show runs in Dubai until December 31.
This is the first time a travelling water circus has come from the Middle East.
This is the first time a travelling water circus has come from the Middle East.
A saxophone-playing clown.
A saxophone-playing clown.
The name Fontana was inspired by the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy.
The name Fontana was inspired by the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy.
A performer checks his equipment before the show.
A performer checks his equipment before the show.
Daredevil stunts.
Daredevil stunts.
Cabaret-style outfits.
Cabaret-style outfits.
The archer at target practice.
The archer at target practice.
A motorcyclist's stunts draw gasps of awe from the audience.
A motorcyclist's stunts draw gasps of awe from the audience.
An aerial artist at work.
An aerial artist at work.
Water and light 'dance' in sync to the music.
Water and light 'dance' in sync to the music.
Caught in a loop.
Caught in a loop.
The clowns, particularly, are audience favourites.
The clowns, particularly, are audience favourites.
Spectacular costumes are a feature of the performance.
Spectacular costumes are a feature of the performance.
The show lasts two hours.
The show lasts two hours.
The circus is a family-friendly event open to children as young as two.
The circus is a family-friendly event open to children as young as two.

Weekend

Behind the scenes at Fontana, the Middle East's first travelling water circus

The performers are in the UAE, entertaining crowds at Dubai Festival City

  • English
  • Arabic

A one-of-a-kind aquatic show has been capturing the attention of audiences in Dubai for the past couple of weeks.

Aerialists, motorcyclists, trapeze artists, musicians, dancers and singers are among the performers taking to the stage night after night as part of Fontana, the Middle East's first travelling water circus, which is at Dubai Festival City for the next few weeks.

The National went behind the scenes with the performers as they geared up for another day on the stage.

One of the performers gets her outfit ready ahead of showtime. Chris Whiteoak / The National
One of the performers gets her outfit ready ahead of showtime. Chris Whiteoak / The National

There are dozens of people involved in the show, with more than 20 nationalities and a team whose members speak more than 15 languages, including Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Italian, French, Portuguese and English.

In total, there are 40 performers.

Singers are also part in the performance. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Singers are also part in the performance. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The performers can spend between three and six hours a day practising their movements, stretching and maintaining their equipment and bodies, depending on how many performances they have that day.

The clown duo from Spain are a big hit at the circus. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The clown duo from Spain are a big hit at the circus. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The two-hour show, produced by Cirque Du Liban from Lebanon, is performed up to twice a day from Wednesday to Sunday, at 3pm and 6pm, on its own custom-built aquatic theatre and more than 30-metre-tall central tent with capacity for up to 1,300 people. It's a family-friendly event, suitable for anyone aged two and above, and tickets start from Dh90.

The name Fontana was inspired by the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, a famous attraction where visitors toss coins in for luck.

Fontana is the first travelling aquatic circus to come to the Middle East. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Fontana is the first travelling aquatic circus to come to the Middle East. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A musical dancing fountain is the centrepiece of the performance, as water jets and colourful lights dance together in sync with music, and it takes 35,000 gallons of water to fill the Fontana fountains.

Three aerial acrobats perform mid-air, while Duo Del Comedia, a Spanish comedy pair, get the audience laughing, and men on motorcycles perform daring stunts — to name a few.

Three aerial performers take to the stage. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Three aerial performers take to the stage. Chris Whiteoak / The National

So far, it's had a largely positive reception in Dubai, with many rave reviews shared online by audience members, with particular kudos given to the clowns. "It was so enjoyable," wrote one commenter on Platinumlist.com, where tickets are available to buy. "Exceeded my expectations," wrote another, giving it a five-star rating, although some users complained about the lack of proper air-conditioning in the tent.

It's been so popular in fact, that the run has been extended until December 31.

A motorcyclist performs daredevil tricks. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A motorcyclist performs daredevil tricks. Chris Whiteoak / The National

“Guests should expect to see a breathtaking blend of live entertainment, artistic circus performances, captivating shows, amazing aerialists, water jets with special effects, music, lights, comedy, dancers, thrills and more," Thierry Antonios, a managing partner at Hat Entertainment, which owns Cirque Du Liban, previously told The National.

"This is an experience to awe the whole family."

A performer prepares for one of the seven shows a week the company presents. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A performer prepares for one of the seven shows a week the company presents. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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