A thrilling new entertainment destination is set to make its debut at Mall of the Emirates, promising to elevate the city’s cultural scene with world-class performances. The upcoming venue, called New Covent Garden, will be a hub of artistic innovation, complete with a 575-seat theatre, rehearsal spaces, and a range of dining options. Expected to open in early 2025, this exciting development aims to attract both international stars and local talent, making it a focal point for diverse artistic performances.
Designed to host an array of live shows, the New Covent Garden theatre will feature a wide variety of stage productions, including iconic West End musicals, Arabic theatre, ballet, opera, comedy acts, family-friendly performances, and concerts. The venue is expected to become a major addition to Dubai’s thriving entertainment landscape.
The Creative Vision Behind New Covent Garden
Major players from the entertainment industry are behind the creation of this new arts venue. Pop star Lisa Scott-Lee, known for her work with the legendary 90s band Steps, and her husband, creative director and choreographer Johnny Shentall-Lee, are the driving forces behind New Covent Garden. Together, they have envisioned a place where performers can not only showcase their skills but also connect with others in a space dedicated to creativity and the arts.
Lisa Scott-Lee, also the founder of the Dubai Performing Arts Academy, expressed her excitement about the project, 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.”
A Home for Creativity
In addition to its state-of-the-art theatre, New Covent Garden will feature 10 dance and rehearsal studios, providing an ideal environment for both seasoned professionals and emerging artists to refine their craft. These spaces will accommodate a variety of performances, from dance rehearsals to intimate performances, encouraging collaboration and creativity. Furthermore, New Covent Garden will be home to a branch of the renowned Pineapple Dance Studios, marking the first time this celebrated London institution will expand outside of the UK.
“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,” Scott-Lee added.
Opening Soon
The grand opening of New Covent Garden is slated for the first quarter of 2025, and it is expected to feature a collaboration with Live Nation Middle East for its inaugural performance. The venue is set to transform Dubai into a global hotspot for the arts, where visitors can experience exceptional live shows and engage in artistic expression like never before.