Special Features
Al Sahra Desert Resort
Al Sahra (Arabic: the Desert) is a desert resort situated in Dubailand, a multi-billion dollar urban complex situated in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Dubailand is destined to become the biggest, most varied leisure, entertainment and tourism attraction on the planet. Al Sahra – a Dubai Heritage Vision LLC initiative – is set in 40 million square feet (400ha) of undulating sand dunes just thirty minutes from the heart of Dubai.This unique eco-tourism resort offers visitors an experience of Arab hospitality and culture; arts and crafts in a natural environment featuring typical clay-plastered stone pillars and arched structures - all conceived to afford visitors an unforgettable experience in the desert. Al Sahra represents Arabian culture and heritage from Persia, the Maghreb, the Levant, the Gulf region, Oman and Yemen.
The main entertainment complex encompasses an amphitheatre with a seating capacity for up to 2 500 spectators. The amphitheatre façade incorporates a traditional Arabic craft souk, restaurants and a coffee shop, surrounded by indigenous regional flora and fauna in a typical desert oasis landscape. A Bedouin style working farm with live animals and a date plantation; a camel farm; and stables complete the setting.
“Jumana-Secret of the Desert” extravaganza The star attraction of the development is an imagistics theatre show, ‘Jumana – Secret of the Desert’, bringing to the amphitheatre stage a matchless feast of performance, excitement and technical innovation, featuring Omar Sharif’s voice as the storyteller.
Some of the best partners in show business collaborated to create a spectacle of unmatched proportions in the region. Christophe Berthonneau, owner of Groupe F - renowned for lighting the Eiffel Tower with Yves Peppin at the turn of the millennium and the opening of the Greek Olympics in Athens - designed the pyrotechnics. Other famous names include composer Jean Musy, responsible for the Jumana soundtrack, and music arranger Mick Lanaro (who produced for Charles Aznavour amongst others).
The show is performed on a stage set in a waterbody containing 10 million litres of water – the size of the stage is comparable to any world class opera or ballet theatre stage such as the La Scala in Milan, the Covent Garden or the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.
In order to achieve scale and spectacular dimensions the show incorporates various imagistics theatre techniques. State-of-the-art laser effects are generated using three lasers generators. Various large-scale water effects enhance the visual effects.
The Al Sahra Amphitheatre employs some of the most advance projection techniques and projection equipment to enhance the excitement of the Jumana show – animation, video and stills images are projected onto an eighteen meter high dune and the water screens, providing the creative team with a wide canvas to illustrate any story.
The technology is rounded off by a lighting system customised for the desert climate, a sound system with an output of between 110dB and 120dB at any point in the amphitheatre; and the first permanent pyrotechnics installation in the Middle East, including fireworks and flame.
The technology used is some of the most advanced in the world and the fusion of different light, water, laser and pyrotechnic effects added to the vibrant soundtrack are sure to mesmerise Jumana audiences.
Showtimes: Daily from Tuesday to Saturday at 21:00 Duration: 65 minutes Capacity: Permanent seating – 1 400 Special events: King Othman’s Lounge: VIP Majlis Loggia (total 12 Loggia, 4 guests per loggia) Tickets: For online ticketing facilities visit our website, www.alsahra.com or www.itp.com Tickets are available from tour operators and local hotels (inquire through the concierge).
Complementing the show, the resort offers a quaint environment for show visitors to wine and dine to their hearts’ content. Terra cotta plastered colonnades; Barasti huts made of wove
