Macau, China
Completion:
May 2025
Technology:
Creative Drapery, Manufacturing.
Performance Venue
IFR Palladium Black Velvet, Digitally Printed Voile
The House of Dancing Water premiered in 2010 at Macau’s City of Dreams. Visionary theatre creator Franco Dragone developed the production as the world’s largest water-based stage show. Backed by an investment of more than HKD 2 billion (USD 250 million) and five years of development, the production opened in the purpose-built 2,000-seat Dancing Water Theatre.
The theatre itself pushed technical boundaries. Its 3.7-million-gallon pool, hydraulic stage lifts, and advanced water effects could transform the stage from dry land into an aquatic arena within seconds. As a result, the show combined acrobatics, diving, dance, aerial stunts, and multimedia storytelling on an unprecedented scale.
J&C Joel proudly supported the original production. The team supplied drapery and mechanical elements for the premiere and continued to provide specialist materials throughout the show’s successful ten-year run, until the production paused during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2025, the iconic show returned following a US$40 million technical transformation. Artistic Director Giuliano Peparini reimagined the production as a spectacular “2.0 experience.” Alongside the creative refresh, the team upgraded the theatre to improve sightlines, accessibility, and audience comfort. They also introduced state-of-the-art lighting, immersive projections, and re-engineered hydraulic systems.
The creative team reinvented signature moments such as the Golden Boat and Human Chandelier. New mechanics, updated choreography, more than 500 intelligent lights, and breathtaking water effects brought these scenes to life.
Once again, J&C Joel contributed to this remarkable reinvention. The company supplied decorative Garden Panel drapery for the show’s pre-set scene. To achieve the desired effect, the team crafted translucent patterned panels from two layers of custom-cut black IFR Palladium Velvet mounted onto digitally printed Voile.
The scale of the installation reflected the project’s ambition. J&C Joel used more than 750 square metres of Velvet, 300 square metres of Voile, 8.5 litres of glue, and 320 man-hours to complete the work. Every element showcased the skill, precision, and dedication of the production team.
The House of Dancing Water continues to set the benchmark for live entertainment. Through its renewed creative vision and exceptional technical innovation, the production remains a powerful symbol of imagination, artistry, and world-class performance.
