A spectacular party staged in a sun-kissed tropical paradise was the perfect way for globe-trotting revellers to see in the new year. Area 51 launched Cabaret Azure at the stunning island resort of Amilla Fushi in the Maldives with remarkable aplomb, pulling together amazing artists for an event that will live long in the memory.
A huge production, the show featured the much-loved house music diva Katherine Ellis and a bill of acts ranging from live bands, singers and dancers to walkabout characters and circus specialists along with large screens and an arsenal of special effects.
Ms. Ellis was joined on stage by Majesty Jones while DJ Tylr Rydr was in charge of the music production. The 45-minute-long cabaret was followed by Edele Lynch, the one-time singer with 90s Irish pop stars B’Witched. It was the largest and most impressive event of its kind ever staged in the Maldives.
Area 51’s head dancer Jessica Louise Allsop created stunning choreographed dance routines while an all-star troupe of circus performers weaved their acts in to the mix to produce a seamless production that was both visually and aurally brilliant.
The team also performed other shows over the festive period and the jaunt was declared a resounding success while Ms. Ellis, Majesty Jones and DJ Tylr Rydr were whisked off to another island – Finolhu – for additional performances.
Although Area 51 now have a permanent base in the Maldives, activity over the Christmas and New year period heats up and other specialist acts were in action at the Reethi Ra resort where a circus was staged featuring a collection of specialist artists. A children’s fashion show was hosted by 51 on Reethi Ra and some performers stayed on to help celebrate the Orthodox Christian New Year, including Jason Maverick and Merlin Cadogan, the latter performing his celebrated underwater circus and escapology routines. Stilt walkers, fire performers and other acts held walkabout sessions while circus workshops proved popular.
Meanwhile, over on the island of Anantara Kihavah resort Area 51 produced a Rio carnival spectacular with drummers, capoeira acrobats, samba dancers and walkabout characters featuring dazzling new costumes that were specially designed to be easily transported by air to the Indian ocean haven. Spectacular foot archer Orissa Kelly also starred on Ananatara Kihavah and Billy George performed with his cyr wheel and the crew stayed on into January to perform for the Orthodox New year celebrations.
The Maldives islands are part of the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and are undoubtedly one of the most naturally beautiful areas on the planet.
