Back in the Middle East for the second time, Cirque du Soleil once again entrusted GAC Dubai to handle the logistics for its performance in Dubai, which kicked off last weekend.
Moving the entire set for the month-long Alegria show is no less challenging this time round ' it took 76 TEUs (total equivalent unit of twenty-foot containers), 2 air charters and a fleet of side loader trucks to do the job.
'Everything had to operate with clockwork military precision. This operation demanded meticulous planning and execution to ensure all the cargo ' from the infrastructure for the tent, staging, sound systems to costumes and props ' arrive safely at the venue as scheduled,' says Phil Showering, GAC Dubai's General Manager for Logistics Services. '
Due to the huge volume and tight space at the venue, a key challenge was to synchronize the delivery by the trailers, which had to be in position at the correct time at the correct place so that every single piece of cargo arrives as scheduled. At the same time, the team had to make sure specialized handling and equipment were used when it comes to moving the handmade costumes custom-made for each character and the one-of-its kind props.
'The road restrictions on heavy vehicles posed an additional challenge as we cannot miss the limited time window when the trucks could move. This was critical to the success of the operation,' he says.
While the show goes on through March, GAC is already making final checks to prepare for the next leg of Cirque du Soleil's tour to Brazil to be part of the South American Carnival. Once the curtains draws after the last performance, behind the scenes, the GAC team will spring into immediate action to move the show to its next destination.
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