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In a first for Asia, Singapore entertainment company Eng Wah Organization
Limited announced plans to bring the world-famous Crazy Horse Paris cabaret
to Singapore.
Crazy Horse Paris is known around the world for its amazing, passionate
mix of dance, music and stunning lighting effects.
The show is a celebration of l’art du nu (the art of the nude), where
dancers highlight the beauty of the female form in a spectacular cabaret
show.
Crazy Horse has been drawing sellout crowds to its Parisian base for more
than 50 years. A sister show opened in Las Vegas in 2001 and has become a
major tourist attraction in one of the most competitive entertainment
environments in the world.
And now, Singapore will become the first city in Asia to host a Crazy
Horse Paris cabaret, ahead of a number of other Asian cities that bid for
the rights to the show.
Eng Wah Organization signed the groundbreaking deal with Crazy Horse
Paris that will see the Crazy Horse Paris cabaret open in December 2005 in
the heart of Singapore’s 24-hour entertainment precinct, Clarke Quay.
Eng Wah Managing Director Ms Goh Min Yen said the agreement was a major
win for Singapore, “A number of Asian cities were competing for the rights
to open a Crazy Horse Paris cabaret but Singapore was the winner.
“Crazy Horse Paris has been a fixture of
Paris nightlife for more than
50 years and we believe the cabaret will bring a sophisticated and exciting
new entertainment option to Singapore.
“Crazy Horse Paris is one of those rare entertainment choices that would
stand out in any city, no matter what other attractions there may be. In
Singapore, it will be the highlight of many a visit, an unforgettable
experience that will draw tourists and other visitors by bringing a world
class brand name to our entertainment scene. It will also give visitors to
Singapore more night time entertainment options and we hope this encourages
them to extend their stay.”
Crazy Horse Paris opened in Paris in 1951. Its founder, Alain Bernardin,
was heavily influenced by the emerging modern art scene in Paris and New
York and conceived a show that celebrated “l’art du nu”. This artistic
tradition has been maintained in the management of the business today.
“This venture represents the latest phase in Eng Wah’s development as a
leading entertainment and leisure company,” said Ms Goh.
Eng Wah Group will be separating its leisure and property business into
two corporate entities to allow each to better focus on its core activities.
Crazy Horse Paris will be developed by Reapwell Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the entity that will be involved with the leisure business.
Ms Goh said Eng Wah considered the Crazy Horse Paris venture an important
growth opportunity, particularly given Singapore’s aim to double current
visitor numbers to 17 million by 2015 and triple tourism spending to $30
billion over the same time.
“Eng Wah will develop and manage the venue and promote the Crazy Horse
Paris cabaret but creative control of the show will remain with its
Paris-based management who will also recruit and train the dancers. In this
way, we remain pure to the artistic reputation of the brand which has been
built progressively over 50 years.”
Ms Goh said the Crazy Horse Paris cabaret was a premium entertainment
offering aimed at sophisticated audiences over 21. The cabaret will be
custom-designed for the 15,000 square feet building at Clarke Quay's Block
B. The cabaret will include seating for around 400 guests, as well as a chic
bistro and bar where patrons can enjoy dinner either before or after the
show.
Mr Didier Bernardin, the son of Crazy Horse founder Alain Bernardin, said
he was impressed by the determination and proactivity of the Eng Wah team in
its bid to bring Crazy Horse Paris to Singapore. This professionalism was a
major factor in the decision to choose Singapore ahead of other Asian
cities.
“We chose Singapore because it is an important gateway to Asia. It is a
sophisticated city, known throughout the world for its affluence, passion
and efficiency. It mixes up Asian and European values very well with a real
vibrancy and energy that make it a perfect location for Crazy Horse Paris,”
said Mr Bernardin. “Our dancers are all classically trained with a minimum
five years’ professional experience. We are beginning castings for the
Singapore show now and recruiting dancers from Europe – mainly France - and
Asia.”
Crazy Horse Paris is one of the French capital’s most popular tourist
destinations and Mr Bernardin said its cool, artistic atmosphere meant the
cabaret attracted as many female visitors as male. He expected the same
visitor profile for the new cabaret in Singapore.
Commenting on the newest entertainment concept soon to be introduced at
Clarke Quay, Mr Lachlan Gyde, Vice President of CapitaLand Retail Limited,
said, "We are delighted that Eng Wah is bringing the world famous Crazy
Horse Paris to Clarke Quay. Having Singapore's first world class resident
cabaret will make Clarke Quay an iconic destination for both locals and
tourists. It will strengthen Clarke Quay's positioning as a premier
lifestyle, entertainment, retail and F&B precinct in Singapore."
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