Candyland Fantasia to open at MBS in August

It’s like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory meets Cirque du Soleil - BY GRACE LITTLEWOOD.

Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands convention centre will be transformed into a world of sugar and chocolate to be called “Fantasia” in August. This 3-day experiential wonderland is organised by Escriba, a well-known confectionary company from the famed La Rambla shopping and tourist belt in Barcelona. It will include the likes of edible life-sized animals and an incredible chocolate waterfall, “Callebaut Falls”, which will stand at 8.5 metres tall, a new Guinness world record. Visitors will be greeted by a host of quirky Spanish characters, played by actors from a leading European theatre group, “Comediants”. Some may be disappointed by the lack of Oompa Loompa’s , but the towering cakes, dazzling theatrical showcases and jaw-dropping acrobatic feats across eight themed pavilions might just make up for it.

Among these eight pavilions is a mini Escriba cooking school, where the enthusiastic chocolatiers among guests will be given the exclusive opportunity to learn from master chefs and make some of their own pastries, fondants and chocolate.

Paul Wakefield, executive chairman of Escriba Asia said: “By starting with the show "Fantasìa by Escribà" in Singapore, we want to not only showcase the quality of our products but share a completely new way of delivering the experience around confections where guests are completely engaged in the process.”

In conjunction with the Singapore Community Chest, Fantasia by Escriba has dedicated one of its sessions to the underprivileged, along with their caregivers and charity staff. Sweet Gesture @ Fantasia will welcome approximately 4000 staff members and beneficiaries of Singapore’s social services. There will also be a “Gift a Ticket” drive which encourages members of the public to purchase $48 tickets to be gifted to the underprivileged and their caregivers.

Unsurprisingly, Fantasia sounds like every child’s dream. This is not quite the case, however, as when the sun sets on day 2, this innocent wonderland of family-fun will become a realm of dark titillation for grown-ups only. And on August 23, Midnight @ Fantasia will feature exotic go go dancers and DJs from Ibiza, the vibrant party-capital of Spain, and to spice things up even more, some of Singapore’s best bartenders will be there to mix potent cocktails concocted specially for Fantasia.

Luckily, the entry fee is not a golden ticket, but a mere $98 (early bird price). Each guest is entitled to $50 worth of delectable Spanish treats including a crema catalana (golden egg), various croissants, red chocolate lips and an Escriba hotdog that is said to hold a surprise- maybe oozing creamy milk chocolate? Whatever the case, the event will probably be a sell-out.