A large-scale stadium celebration dedicated to the founding and history of the United Arab Emirates
// 2011
// Show
// Abu Dhabi
The Spirit of the Union was a 60-minute show featuring a cast of 1,300, staged in the centre of Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Performed in front of an audience of 40,000, The Spirit of the Union told a richly detailed, multimedia-led story of a nation and its people.
A vast, 106m2 stage, based on the eight-pointed Islamic star, supported a mix of projections, aerial performance and choreography. An 18m-wide tower rose above the stadium roof to a height of over 36m. The tower’s four Islamic arches became both the focal point, and a backdrop for projection, while an eight-sided sloping pyramid deck rose to a height of nine metres.
Four large folding entrances and 80 trapdoors were placed in the stage for the movement of scenery and further projection, and four large portals around the stage supported 80 projectors and 1,700 lights, illuminating an area of 4,400m2. The scale and complexity of the show was unrivalled in the region.
Technical details
// 106m2 stage area
// 18m-tall tower
// 9m-tall pyramid deck
// 80 projectors
// 1700 lights
Khaleej Times
“From the past to the future, the show continued with a dance and acrobatic performance of a young girl, symbolising the growth of the nation. The main part of the programme belonged to the Watania show which saw Emirati military school-girls march in and make formations in the arena, followed by UAE Army, police and special forces officers.
The long parade concluded by poetry and patriotic songs, followed by videos of the 44-years old nation, safe, well developed and advanced economically, socially and culturally.”
Credits
Show Director Abigail Yeates + Chris Hynes Creative Director Chris Hynes, Done & Dusted + STUFISH Executive Producer Done & Dusted Creative Producer STUFISH Production Director Nick Levitt Production Manager Kenny Underwood Composer Akintayo Akinbode and Nick Croft Lighting Design Baz Halpin Costume Design Abby Grewcock Sound Design Britannia Row Video Design & Animation Hello Charlie Staging Supplier Stage Co, Steel Monkey, Tait, Total Solutions and 2D3D
Related Projects
Asian Games
Opening Ceremony
Giudizio Universale
Balich Worldwide Shows
Spirit of the Union Sheikha Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation
