The Dubai Expat Diaries

The premier appearance of the fabulous Krystal Dinner Show is drawing to close with the finale show announced for February 29th, after a very successful and extended run. The show has been running nightly since January 24th with brunches on Fridays and a Family Brunch Show on Saturdays.

The show has been watched so far by over 3,000 guests of all nationalities, residents and tourists alike, who have all been wowed by the amazing acts- from trapeze artists to  acrobatic ballet dancers- the show has been a hit with all ages too! The guests have included dignitaries such as the Consul General of India and by Royal Appointment, their Majesties, the King and Queen of Malaysia.

Directors Carol and Phillip Gandey are enthused by the response of the Dubai audience and the rave reviews in the Dubai press, such as “Eat drink and be wowed”, “It’s a night to remember…what more could you ask for”- 7days; “A must see event”- Gulf News and “The Krystal Dinner Show is quite unlike any other performance Dubai has ever seen!”- TimeOut Dubai. “It is such a boost when everyone tells us how much they have enjoyed their evening at the Grand SpeigelTent,” said Phillip, “They really appreciate the opportunity to dress up and make an evening with us a special occasion.” 

The Grand SpeigelTent itself has caused quite a stir in Dubai, with its unique design, which includes intimate booths, an ornate bar and art nouveau chandeliers. It is constructed of ancient wood, canvas and mirrors and is ornately decorated with grandiose stained glass windows and an opulent velvet interior- in which guests feel transported to another world. A sumptuous new menu has also been introduced for the last 2 weeks of the show.

The cast have been enjoying entertaining such a diverse audience and performing in intimate close quarters. It is the reaction of the audience that makes the cast perform to higher levels. “The artistes have really enjoyed performing their acts in such an intimate setting where they could literally reach out and touch the audience,” said Carol Gandey, “And mingling with the diners has been great fun.  Dubai audiences are a joy to play to - they really know how to enjoy themselves.”

The show’s five-star cuisine, exceptional wines and world-class entertainment featuring a cast of 20 international artistes – singers, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, musicians and comedy performers - in the mesmerising beauty and unique ambience of the nostalgic Grand Spiegeltent, has made The Krystal Dinner show a “must-do” event. The organisers are urging guests to book their tickets as soon as possible to ensure they don’t miss out on seeing the show before it closes on February 29th.
SHOW INFORMATION:

Now Closing Feb 29th
Krystal Dinner Show- www.krystaldinnershow.com 
The Grand Spiegeltent
Le Meridien, Mina Seyahi - www.minaeffect.com
Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai

Advance booking is advised- last booking at 4pm on the day of show
Book at:

ShowbizME-04 366 2277
www.Showbizme.com

Time Out Tickets- 800 4669
www.timeoutickets.com

Or call 050 9206548 for more information about the show

Evening Shows-
Reception: 8.00 pm
Dinner & Show starts: 8.30pm
Tickets:
Category A – Dhs 395
Category B – Dhs 595
Category C – Dhs 695
Category D (VIP Box for 10) – Dhs 8000
All ticket categories include 6 course dinner.

Friday brunch
1pm start
Dhs 350- includes buffet brunch

Saturday Family Matinee- includes buffet
1pm start
Adults - Dhs320
Children - Dhs200

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Grand Spiegeltent is one of the largest remaining travelling tents of its type.  The 26-metre diameter structure – always referred to as “she”- is constructed of hewn and handcrafted wood, canvas, stained glass and mirrors. It takes a ten-strong specialised technical crew 3 days to unload the 3,000 individual components from containers and put them together on site.

The Grand Spiegeltent, the venue being used for the Krystal Dinner Show was originally discovered by Meno Terpstra in the depths of Costa Rican farmland. It was found only partial in form after being used for housing chickens, much of the structure had rotted and worn away but Meno could see the hidden beauty of this extraordinary structure. It is believed that it had arrived in Costa Rica by ship from Europe mid 19th century but its journey to the farmland is unknown. By using plans and designs from previous structures it was carefully and painstakingly recreated back to its original form.

It is the first Spiegeltent to be erected in the UAE or anywhere in the Middle East, and has been transported direct from The International Jazz Festival in Japan where it was a principal venue for the most prestigious performances.  It has also hosted major entertainment events in Montreal, Holland, England and the USA.

Although Spiegeltent is German for “Tent of Mirrors” – the first were designed and built in Belgium during the 19th century as luxurious travelling dance halls moving from country to country throughout Europe.  But they soon evolved into wider use as palaces of entertainment, attracting a spectrum of glittering events ranging from cabaret to music festivals, from exhibitions to wine and beer carnivals.

Over the years Spiegletents have hosted some of the world’s greatest performing artistes including German singer Marlene Dietrich who famously performed Falling in Love Again in a Spiegeltent during the 1930’s.

Europe’s love affair with the Spiegeltent cooled in the 1950’s with the advent of television and the growth of cinemas. Many of them ended up on scrap heaps – as their owners just couldn’t afford to maintain them.

But a handful remained protected by people dedicated to preserving these beautiful, intricate and atmospheric structures from a bygone age.  Built in the last century, the Grand Spiegeltent is a classic example of the best of its genre and provides the perfect setting for Dubai’s newest and most exciting exclusive fine dinning entertainment– The Krystal Dinner Show.