“A waterfront pavilion gets to enjoy the moonlight first.” This is a Chinese saying that explains how someone can benefit from being close to those with influence – and it more or less describes how Hong Kong resident Jaden He Jingde, a veteran martial arts director and Cirque du Soleil alum, landed in the reboot of House of Dancing Water in Macau.
Originally directed by Franco Dragone, best known for his work with Cirque du Soleil, House of Dancing Water ran from 2010 until 2020, when Covid-19 restrictions forced the aquatic show to close down.
Dragone died in 2022, but the show was revamped by his long-time collaborator Giuliano Peparini and reopened on May 7.
“I worked with Franco and Guiliano in [Las] Vegas,” says He. “When the production company decided to incorporate more martial arts into the new House of Dancing Water, then they called me.”
Appointed martial arts director of House of Dancing Water, He says this new version of the show features a lot more Asian elements – there is, for example, a lot of swordplay combined with elements of martial arts tai chi and baguazhang.