A 515-seat theatre is opening on the QE2 – and it could be you on stage

Theatre by QE2 is holding open auditions on October 13. Think of it as Dubai’s Got Talent, if you like

The QE2 is docked permanently at Dubai’s Mina Rashid, and will soon be home to a theatre. 
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Just in case a night on board the recently opened Queen Elizabeth 2 in Dubai wasn't exciting enough, guests will soon have the chance to enjoy an evening at the theatre as well.

A 515-seat theatre is due to open on the decommissioned, British-built ocean liner, which is now a floating hotel, in the coming weeks – and you could be a part of one of the performances.

Earlier this month, an open call was put out on the Theatre by QE2 Facebook page asking musicians, street performers, comedians, magicians, ballerinas and speciality acts to come and audition for a coveted spot on this enormous new stage. Think of it as Dubai's Got Talent, if you like.

The auditions will take place between 9.30am and 12.30pm on October 13 in the Grand Lounge on the QE2. It is hoped that these auditions will produce a roster of artists who will perform at the theatre over the coming months, reflecting the variety of talent in the UAE.

"The QE2 was renowned for her around-the-clock programme of world-class entertainment, so the arrival of Theatre by QE2 marks the beginning of a new legacy and the first in a series of exciting concepts to be introduced to her as she continues her journey as a floating hotel in Dubai," said Hamza Mustafa, CEO of PCFC Hotels, which runs the QE2.

The opening night of the theatre, which is invitation-only, will be on October 27. A full programme of events will then be announced, including a family-friendly Christmas show, which opens on December 9 and runs throughout the festive period.

The QE2, which is located at Dubai's Mina Rashid, was once a world-famous ocean liner, making more than 800 transatlantic crossings between 1969 and 2008, when she was retired.

A look inside:

The ship was then purchased by a Dubai investment firm for a reported $100 million (Dh367.3m). Ten years later, and following extensive renovations, the QE2 opened as a floating, 13-deck hotel (complete with Royal suites, period furniture and memorabilia, of course) in April. It now has 224 rooms and suites.

A flashback:

"We have dedicated more than 2.7 million man-hours into transforming this legendary ocean liner into the multi-faceted tourist destination that she is today and I am very proud to reintroduce her to the world as she embarks on the next stage of her celebrated journey," Mustafa said at the time of the 'soft launch', when only some of the QE2's 10 restaurants and bars, including Dubai's oldest pub, were open.

The official launch takes place later this month.

For more information on Theatre by QE2, visit facebook.com/theatrebyqe2

To register for an audition, email DPALive@DubaiPerformingArts.com

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Read more:

Inside the new QE2 Dubai - in pictures

'Welcome home QE2': famous liner makes final voyage to Port Rashid before opening as hotel

Famed ocean liner QE2 moves to Dubai drydock for 'ship to hotel' conversion work

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