The entertainers
Macau has become a dream posting for a revolving cast of international performers. Hugh Chow goes backstage with some of the city's hottest talent
THEY COME TO Macau from all over the world to work in the city’s casinos, shows and clubs.
They speak different languages and have different stories to tell, but as hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to descend upon the “Las Vegas of the East” this summer holiday, these talented performers all have one thing to say: “Let me entertain you.”
The House of Dancing Water, City of Dreams
School days may stir up memories of half-forgotten formulas, struggling through Shakespeare or trying to be one of the cool kids. But for Tanzanian acrobats Athuman Ford Athuman, Halfan Ibrahim Saddi and Vuai Zahoro Vuai, school would have meant gruelling daily exercises in tumbling and balancing.
Alumni of the African Acrobatic Academy in Dar es Salaam perform all over the world, but many started out as children doing simple tricks to impress their friends.
“Young kids, they like watching Chinese movies,” says Vuai, 31, who mentions the films of Jackie Chan as a favourite in his East African homeland. “What they see in the movies, they say: ‘I can do this’ or ‘I can try that.’” If you head to one of Tanzania’s many beaches, you’ll see children attempting handstands and walking on their hands, he says.