Practice session under way at Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Indoor Arena, the venue of ‘Messi10’ by Cirque du Soleil. Pictures: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula
Doha: The latest groundbreaking show “Messi10” by Cirque du Soleil is all set to take the breath away of thousands of football and circus fans in Doha as it marks its Asia premiere coming Thursday at Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena.
Doha is only the second city where the unique production inspired by the legendary sports icon Leo Messi will be staged, following its highly successful world premiere in Barcelona last year. “Doha is the first city in the Middle East that we chose to play Messi10 because Qatar is a huge fan of Messi, and Qatar loves sports specially football, that’s why we’re here. Doha is the second city that we chose to stage this amazing show after Barcelona,” Dennis Pinero, publicist and spokesperson of Messi10 told The Peninsula.
Forty-seven artistes from 19 different countries will perform a total of 14 shows to be staged in 10 days from February 27 to March 7 in a show like no other.
“Messi10 is unique because it is the first Cirque du Soleil show that is combined with an actual sport. It is the only show about Messi, the best football player in the world today. It is also the only Cirque du Soleil production about a person who is still alive,” noted Pinero. He stressed that “the show is about having fun. It’s about Messi’s qualities and how he focuses on his fans.”
It took a lot of planning and dedication to put up the show, preparations for which took about two years from concept till the world premiere on October 10 last year in Barcelona, where Messi plays for its football club, he added.
Presented in partnership with Qatar National Tourism Council, Messi10 is an immersive experience which combines classical circus acts such as trampoline, trapeze and tightrope artists with never-before seen disciplines, audiovisual material and videos highlighting Messi’s best plays, as well as exclusive images especially produced for the show.
It tells the story of a young man with boundless ambition who overcomes all obstacles to become one of the greatest football players of his time.
“People can expect a very energetic, unique and innovative show because what we did is bring an innovative football stadium where people can see a real football game with many exciting features,” he said.
As people in Qatar are receptive about Cirque du Soleil and Messi, he said they expect many people to come to watch the shows which will be staged at the Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena he describes as “amazing, huge and unique venue.”
With 42 unique productions, Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to over 190 million spectators in 60 countries. It has staged several successful shows in Qatar in recent years.
