Introduction

BEN HUR LIVE - with the first high-speed chariot race after 2000 years, premiered at London's O2 Arena on Sept. 17, 2009, and it was a huge, incredible success. The media was full of lavish praise:

The London Times: “A production of the century”
Spiegel Online: “Gigantic…, God would shout: “Bravo”!
Münchner Abendzeitung: “Almost like a biblical miracle”
Die Welt: “Circus Maximus 2.0”
Süddeutsche Zeitung: “The XXXXL-Spectacle ”
The Sun: “Entertaining, hypnotic and a runaway triumph“
Hamburger Abendblatt:”It feels like you were sitting in the Circus Maximus”

BEN HUR LIVE had over 40.000 spectators in London and almost 100.000 visitors in Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart and Zurich within eight weeks.

MYTHS, LEGENDS AND SPECTACLE - THE PERFECT ILLUSION OF A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
BEN HUR LIVE means spectacular entertainment for the whole family –  it brings the Formula 1 of ancient times to the Circus Maximus of today -  staging multiple brilliant scenes such as a naval battle with huge galleys on a sea of fog and fantastic light effects , all imbedded in one of the greatest and dramatic story lines that has ever have been written and produced as a movie. All about love and friendship, hatred, revenge, and redemption.

In addition, one of the great and most talented soundtrack composers of our time delivered the wonderful music:

STEWART COPELAND (The Police)

BEN HUR LIVE sets entirely new standards in live-entertainment and in theater culture:

BEN HUR LIVE is

“The power of a rock concert,
the speed of a musical,
the magic of an epic movie,
the passion of a Greek tragedy.”

(Franz Abraham in “The London Times”)

History becomes alive and makes us forget time. And now, like 2000 years ago, the audience can experience the Roman Empire and Galilee around the time of the birth of Christ, plunge into the arenas of antiquity, to an era that was shaped by dramatic conflicts, tragedy and hope, bread and games. Breakneck chariot races and scenes of an antique naval battle alternated with appearances by gladiators, the performance of orgiastic festivals and vivid Arabian market life. 100 performers, 100 animals, horses and free flying birds of prey, huge backdrops and galleys with expanded sails create the perfect illusion - an antique panorama with the fate of Judah Ben Hur right in front of it.

The movie of the same title starring Charlton Heston - awarded with 11 Oscars and still the most decorated Hollywood production of all times - has become a legend long ago. The original book by Lewis Wallace was a worldwide bestseller in the 1900`s. But it was not until the film adaptation of 1959 that the incomparable pictures came into being: the myth of the Jewish prince Judah Ben Hur, who wrongly had been condemned to the galley and only survived with the thought of revenge until he meets Jesus and decides to forgive. He regains strength through his love to the beautiful slave Esther and from strong family ties that characterize the beneficent Jewish family Hur - those are the simple and eternal merits and scenes that did not only move the audience in the cinemas.

MAGNIFICENT THEATER, MAGIC MOMENTS AND ACTION - THE MIND-BLOWING EXPERIENCE FOR ALL SENSES FAR EXCEEDS THE KNOWN DIMENSIONS OF LIVE-ENTERTAINMENT

Now, this story full of action and speed with its enduring message of peace, the parable of the victory of love over political force, will be staged first live at the arena. The impossible is made possible by the latest engineering. For 2 hours the oldest dream of mankind to go on a journey back in time seems to come true, not only through filmic implementation or virtual animation, but within grasp and sensually noticeable.

BEN HUR LIVE combines a monumental staging with the highest artistic standard. The implementation of all elements demanded a worldwide experienced creative team. The symphonic and in some parts oriental sounding soundtrack is composed by the Hollywood-experienced Stewart Copeland, who not only became famous as the founder of the rock band “The Police”, but is also the creator of operas and 60 film scores. The script is written by Shaun McKenna, well-known for his musical version of Tolkien`s “Lord of the Rings”. The stage direction is conducted from the internationally famous director Philip Wm. McKinley from New York. The design for stage, scenery and props is in the hands of Mark Fisher from London. One of his most recent major projects was the opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympic Games 2008 in Beijing. Patrick Woodroffe, also from London and responsible for light, works e.g. for the Rolling Stones and the Vienna State Opera. Ann Hould-Ward, Tony-Award-winner for Disney`s “Beauty and the Beast”, designed the 1.200 fantastic sculpture-like costumes.

FIRE, HORSES, SAND AND 50 TRUCKS - A WORLD TOUR FOR MILLIONS

BEN HUR LIVE will be staged in a 360°-arena in order to give the audience - like in an antique arena - the experience of an exceptional closeness to the event. Thus, the action on the 2000 sqm rink, predominantly in indoor venues like the Nuova Fiera di Roma, can be captured with all the senses, supported by special effects, fire, water, wind and the dispersed dust from the chariot race - the highlight of the antique spectacle. 4 quadrigas on an area of 30 x 60 metres at full speed -  for the first time in 2000 years. A total of 40 horses were specially trained by the horse expert Nicki Pfeifer since 2008. A special sand granulate attains the required adhesion.

Starting from September 29, BEN HUR LIVE will be revived in Rome at the Nuova Fiera di Roma (Roman Fair) in an air-conditioned show-arena, organized by the company NEW ART CONCERTS.