Organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, (IC, from its Portuguese acronym), the 34^th Macao Arts Festival, presents a range of programmes under the theme “Wondrous Encounters”, taking the public on a wonderful voyage through the performing arts world. IC is specially launching the “Final Surprise Flash Sale Offer”, offering 30% discount on tickets for any performances of the Experimental Kunqu Opera “The Chairs”, Sleeping Beauty, Macbettu, The Fury of My Thoughts and the Sino-Portuguese Concert. Tickets are limited and the public is advised to purchase tickets as soon as possible.

Adapted from the play of the same name created by great absurdist playwright Eugène Ionesco in 1952, The Chairs by the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe, to be staged at the Mandarin’s House on 25 and 26 May, is a reinterpretation of the play in the style of Kunqu opera, a traditional genre of Chinese opera, featuring unique aesthetics that integrate Chinese and Western artistic elements. This award-winning play is an exceptional show that has been featured in the national minimalist studio theatre showcase, portraying an old couple’s absurd dream on a nameless deserted island.

The contemporary ballet Sleeping Beauty by Spanish National Dance Award winner Marcos Morau in collaboration with the prominent Lyon Opera Ballet, from France will be presented from 24 to 26 May at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium. Amid the varying light colours and spatial effects on stage, male and female dancers dressed entirely in white crinoline will lead the audience into a transposition of Sleeping Beauty through novel physical movements and unique body language.

The play Macbettu, a reinvention of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy in the ancient Sardinian language of Italy, will be staged on 25 and 26 May at the Macao Cultural Centre Small Auditorium, with an all-male cast rendering breath-taking stage effects with martial physicality. In the nocturnal theatre space soaked in dim yet strongly contrasting light and metallic sounds stemming from dust and iron plates, the Sardinia Theatre will subject the audience to an intense tension and oppressiveness.

The Infrarouge company from Canada will present The Fury of My Thoughts on 31 May and 1 June at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium, depicting stories by the legendary Canadian writer Nelly Arcan. Six actors and one dancer will depict the author’s rich yet delicate life on a stage composed by ten square grids, conveying thoughts that weigh on women’s minds.

David Huang, a star singer known for melding western and Asian flavours into his music, will share the stage with Portuguese psychedelic rock band Capitão Fausto and a percussionist from Cape Verde in the Festival closing performance in the evening of 7 June at the MGM Theatre (MGM Cotai). David Huang will render the classic love song “You Got Me Drunk” and Capitão Fausto will perform their most popular rock songs, offering a fabulous rock party to aficionados.

For more information about the 34^th Macao Arts Festival programmes, ticket purchase and other discounts, please visit the event’s website (www.icm.gov.mo/fam), follow the respective page on Facebook (search “Macao Arts Festival”), or subscribe to IC’s official WeChat account (‘IC_Art_Macao’). Ticketing hotline: 2855 5555; online ticket reservation is available at www.macauticket.com.