Dubai has welcomed a spectacular new destination for the arts with the opening of New Covent Garden at the Mall of the Emirates. This dynamic venue is set to redefine live entertainment in the city by bringing international and regional talent to one of the most visited malls in the region.
The newly launched New Covent Garden features a fully equipped 575-seat theatre, ten state-of-the-art dance and rehearsal studios, and an on-site restaurant, making it a comprehensive hub for performing arts lovers. Audiences can expect an exciting lineup of West End musicals, Arabic-language theatre, ballet performances, comedy shows, opera productions, concerts, and family entertainment, all hosted under one roof.
Behind this ambitious venture are renowned performers and creatives Lisa Scott-Lee, former pop icon from the 90s band Steps, and her husband, acclaimed choreographer and creative director Johnny Shentall-Lee. Their vision for New Covent Garden is rooted in a deep personal connection to Dubai and a long-standing desire to cultivate a thriving performing arts scene in the UAE.
A major highlight of the space is the first international expansion of the legendary Pineapple Dance Studios, originally based in London. Open to dancers and artists of all skill levels and ages, it offers the local community an opportunity to engage with world-class dance education and rehearsal facilities.
Lisa Scott-Lee, who also leads the Dubai Performing Arts Academy, shared her enthusiasm at the opening, stating, “Creating New Covent Garden has been a dream Johnny and I have pursued for many years. As performers who have lived in Dubai for over a decade, we envisioned a central space for dancers, musicians, and creatives to train and perform. This venue is a gift to the UAE’s arts scene — a space where inspiration and talent converge.”
The venue’s first performance will debut in collaboration with Live Nation Middle East, setting the tone for a future of high-caliber shows and cultural celebrations at this iconic mall location.
New Covent Garden is now open to the public and promises to become a cornerstone of Dubai’s cultural and entertainment landscape.