Newbuild to feature flexible theatre space and Music Walk complex when she debuts in April 2016
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Holland America Line’s (HAL) newbuild Koningsdam is to feature a 270-degree LED screen in her main theatre when she debuts in April 2016.
Unlike the line’s traditional theatres, the newbuild’s main theatre – The World Stage – has been designed as a flexible space to offer multiple stage configurations, ranging from in-the-round to the more conventional proscenium staging. Initially, the theatre will host five new productions.
The two-storey-high screens will measure 250ft in length and will be enhanced by state-of-the-art lighting, projection and sound systems to help transform The World Stage according to the performance.
“The World Stage on Koningsdam will enable us to debut new entertainment concepts to delight our guests with shows they’ve never seen before,” said Orlando Ashford, president of HAL. “Having the flexibility to configure the room into many different and vibrant settings enables us to set new heights for cruise entertainment in this extraordinary theatre at sea.”
In addition, Koningsdam will feature HAL’s new Music Walk complex, which includes the Queen’s Lounge, Billboard Onboard and Lincoln Center Stage.
Koningsdam will be the eighth HAL ship to feature B.B. King’s Blues Club in the Queen’s Lounge to enable guests to enjoy live performances from the eight-piece B.B. King All-Star Band.
“Koningsdam is going to feature a wide variety of entertainment options and having music of this calibre is another way we’re standing out when it comes to the guest experience,” said Ashford.
HAL has also partnered with Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York to introduce a new live music venue onboard Koningsdam and several of its other ships. The Lincoln Center Stage will showcase an ensemble of musicians performing multiple music programmes per night, as well as afternoon recitals during sea days. It will debut on Eurodam in January 2016 and on Oosterdam in April 2016. Programming on other ships will be revealed at a later date.
“Classical music has been one of the many hallmarks of a HAL cruise and partnering with an organisation as esteemed as Lincoln Center takes our programme to an entirely new level,” said Ashford.