• A diverse array of performances, from West End productions to Arabic plays, will put ‘The heart in the arts’ of the community

Dubai, UAE – Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping malls, retail and leisure group across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, is proud to announce the upcoming launch of New Covent Garden at Mall of the Emirates, a one-of-a-kind cultural and entertainment hub that is set to elevate Dubai's position on the global Arts and Culture map.

New Covent Garden will be a hotbed of creative energy with its cutting-edge, 575-seater theatre, ten Dance and Rehearsal studios, a holistic Yoga and Pilates space, Black Box Theatre and vibrant restaurant all under one roof, providing a dynamic, all-encompassing arts experience for residents and visitors alike. First-class productions including West End Musicals and shows, Arabic plays, Ballet, Comedy, Opera, Family Shows and Concerts will be hosted here, featuring both international stars and homegrown talent. The offerings will ensure a diverse and engaging experience which caters to the varied tastes and cultural preferences of UAE residents and visitors alike.

New Covent Garden is brought to you by entertainment industry professionals, international Pop Star of STEPS fame Lisa Scott-Lee and creative director and choreographer Johnny Shentall-Lee, from the original West End cast of Footloose the Musical. Set to be a show-stopping, powerhouse at the intersection of creativity and Performing Arts, it will open its doors in the first quarter of next year, featuring a state-of-the-art facility for world-class entertainment appealing to all age groups, nationalities, and cultures.

Hussain Moosa, Mall Director of Mall of the Emirates, said: “At Mall of the Emirates, we are in a constant quest to push boundaries and build a world of experiences for a more vibrant community. We saw this as an opportunity to enhance the cultural and performing arts landscape in Dubai, and with its diverse and cosmopolitan population, the time was ripe for something special. With New Covent Garden, we are bringing to the Middle East an iconic cultural force—one that cements this already iconic mall as a centre for creativity, performance, and community engagement. We are thrilled to be able to offer a platform where audiences can explore their love for Culture and Arts on a whole new level.”

Theatre and the Arts will come alive for all at New Covent Garden. The creative venue will provide quality training to professional and budding performers alike, allowing them to both hone and showcase their talents. The ten dedicated studios will elevate the region’s Dance and Performance Arts scene, setting new standards for excellence in training and performance. This initiative is further strengthened by the long-standing partnership between Scott-Lee and Debbie Moore OBE, the founder of London-based Pineapple Dance Studios, marking the first-ever international expansion within New Covent Garden. The Dubai branch of the famed Dance Studios will provide a new era for the Dance community, along with and an exciting opportunity for all abilities and ages to dive into the world of Dance and Performing Arts.

Scott-Lee, also the Founder and Principal of Dubai Performing Arts Academy, shared her vision, saying: “New Covent Garden has been a passionate dream for Johnny and I for years. Being professional performers ourselves and having made Dubai our home over 10 years ago, we wanted to create a unique space and a home for Performers, Dancers, Musicians, Artists and the Theatre and Performing Arts Community — a creative hub where people from all walks of life can come together and share their passion and their love of The Arts. New Covent Garden is an exciting and unique venue with a beautifully equipped 575-seater Theatre in the heart of Mall of the Emirates, along with 10 accompanying Dance and Rehearsal studios, a performer’s dream to be able to rehearse, train and perform in one location, with a fully working Theatre and 10 backstage dressing rooms. We can't wait to wow the audiences and for everyone to experience this game-changing, innovative new destination and venue. New Covent Garden awaits you.”

This exciting project reflects Majid Al Futtaim’s commitment to enhance Dubai's cultural scene and respond to its increasing appetite for Art, Performance and Community. New Covent Garden will not only be a vibrant junction of art, performance, and community, it will also attract international attention to Dubai’s thriving cultural scene. By driving culture and innovation, the venue is set to enhance the lives of residents and visitors alike. In collaboration with Live Nation Middle East, New Covent Garden will host its first debut show in 2025.

Media Contact:
Sarah Alsalem
sarah@gambit.ae

About Majid Al Futtaim

Founded in 1992, Majid Al Futtaim is an Emirati-owned, diversified lifestyle conglomerate operating across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The Group started from one man’s vision to transform the face of shopping, entertainment, and leisure to ‘create great moments for everyone, every day’. It has since grown into one of the region’s most respected businesses, employing 43,000 people, with owned assets valued at US$18 billion and has the highest credit rating (BBB) among privately held corporates in the region. Majid Al Futtaim owns and operates 29 shopping malls, 7 hotels and four mixed-use communities, welcoming more than 600 million customers through its doors every year.

Majid Al Futtaim operates more than 600 VOX Cinemas screens as well as a portfolio of world-class leisure and entertainment experiences across the region including four indoor ski locations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Cairo and Oman as well as family entertainment centers Magic Planet and Little Explorers. It is the proud owner of the flagship Mall of the Emirates, Mall of Egypt, and Mall of Oman with the iconic City Centre shopping malls rounding out its portfolio across the region. The Group partners with world-class fashion, home, speciality retail and beauty brands, including lululemon, LEGO, Crate and Barrel, Shiseido, with over 70 stores and 20 digital platforms across the GCC. It also owns and operates THAT Concept Store, a multi-brand retail destination and app. Majid Al Futtaim is also the exclusive franchisee for Carrefour across markets in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, serving 770,000 customers daily. These offerings are powered by the UAE’s fastest growing loyalty programme SHARE, which offers customers a more personalised and data driven experience. The developer of choice for the region, Majid Al Futtaim is the creator of mixed-use communities including Tilal Al Ghaf in Dubai and Al Mouj in Muscat.

Majid Al Futtaim has continued to set the standard for sustainable growth through its Dare Today, Change Tomorrow sustainability strategy. The Group is committed to becoming Net Positive in water and carbon by 2040.

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