Major win for Singapore - Crazy Horse Paris Cabaret to open in December 2005

In a first for Asia, Singapore entertainment company Eng Wah Organization Limited announced plans to bring the world-famous Crazy Horse Paris cabaret to Singapore.

Crazy Horse Paris is known around the world for its amazing, passionate mix of dance, music and stunning lighting effects.

The show is a celebration of l’art du nu (the art of the nude), where dancers highlight the beauty of the female form in a spectacular cabaret show.

Crazy Horse has been drawing sellout crowds to its Parisian base for more than 50 years. A sister show opened in Las Vegas in 2001 and has become a major tourist attraction in one of the most competitive entertainment environments in the world. 

And now, Singapore will become the first city in Asia to host a Crazy Horse Paris cabaret, ahead of a number of other Asian cities that bid for the rights to the show.

Eng Wah Organization signed the groundbreaking deal with Crazy Horse Paris that will see the Crazy Horse Paris cabaret open in December 2005 in the heart of Singapore’s 24-hour entertainment precinct, Clarke Quay.

Eng Wah Managing Director Ms Goh Min Yen said the agreement was a major win for Singapore, “A number of Asian cities were competing for the rights to open a Crazy Horse Paris cabaret but Singapore was the winner.

“Crazy Horse Paris has been a fixture of Paris nightlife for more than 50 years and we believe the cabaret will bring a sophisticated and exciting new entertainment option to Singapore.

“Crazy Horse Paris is one of those rare entertainment choices that would stand out in any city, no matter what other attractions there may be. In Singapore, it will be the highlight of many a visit, an unforgettable experience that will draw tourists and other visitors by bringing a world class brand name to our entertainment scene. It will also give visitors to Singapore more night time entertainment options and we hope this encourages them to extend their stay.”

Crazy Horse Paris opened in Paris in 1951. Its founder, Alain Bernardin, was heavily influenced by the emerging modern art scene in Paris and New York and conceived a show that celebrated “l’art du nu”. This artistic tradition has been maintained in the management of the business today.

“This venture represents the latest phase in Eng Wah’s development as a leading entertainment and leisure company,” said Ms Goh.

Eng Wah Group will be separating its leisure and property business into two corporate entities to allow each to better focus on its core activities. Crazy Horse Paris will be developed by Reapwell Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the entity that will be involved with the leisure business. 

Ms Goh said Eng Wah considered the Crazy Horse Paris venture an important growth opportunity, particularly given Singapore’s aim to double current visitor numbers to 17 million by 2015 and triple tourism spending to $30 billion over the same time.

“Eng Wah will develop and manage the venue and promote the Crazy Horse Paris cabaret but creative control of the show will remain with its Paris-based management who will also recruit and train the dancers. In this way, we remain pure to the artistic reputation of the brand which has been built progressively over 50 years.”

Ms Goh said the Crazy Horse Paris cabaret was a premium entertainment offering aimed at sophisticated audiences over 21. The cabaret will be custom-designed for the 15,000 square feet building at Clarke Quay's Block B. The cabaret will include seating for around 400 guests, as well as a chic bistro and bar where patrons can enjoy dinner either before or after the show.

Mr Didier Bernardin, the son of Crazy Horse founder Alain Bernardin, said he was impressed by the determination and proactivity of the Eng Wah team in its bid to bring Crazy Horse Paris to Singapore. This professionalism was a major factor in the decision to choose Singapore ahead of other Asian cities.

“We chose Singapore because it is an important gateway to Asia. It is a sophisticated city, known throughout the world for its affluence, passion and efficiency. It mixes up Asian and European values very well with a real vibrancy and energy that make it a perfect location for Crazy Horse Paris,” said Mr Bernardin. “Our dancers are all classically trained with a minimum five years’ professional experience. We are beginning castings for the Singapore show now and recruiting dancers from Europe – mainly France - and Asia.”

Crazy Horse Paris is one of the French capital’s most popular tourist destinations and Mr Bernardin said its cool, artistic atmosphere meant the cabaret attracted as many female visitors as male. He expected the same visitor profile for the new cabaret in Singapore.

Commenting on the newest entertainment concept soon to be introduced at Clarke Quay, Mr Lachlan Gyde, Vice President of CapitaLand Retail Limited, said, "We are delighted that Eng Wah is bringing the world famous Crazy Horse Paris to Clarke Quay. Having Singapore's first world class resident cabaret will make Clarke Quay an iconic destination for both locals and tourists. It will strengthen Clarke Quay's positioning as a premier lifestyle, entertainment, retail and F&B precinct in Singapore."

See other recent news regarding: Singapore, Paris