From 21 November 2004 to 9 January 2005, the world�s largest fully automated Christmas display � the Crown Christmas Spectacular returns to the Crown Atrium.

Now a well-established focal point of Melbourne�s yuletide celebration calendar, this colourful sensory experience designed for the young and the young at heart to enjoy, will be longer, brighter and bigger spectacle than ever before.

A huge clock face suspended under the Atrium�s internationally renowned crystal ceiling signals the start of the ten-minute show in which playful Christmas monkeys wreak havoc before the Christmas Fairy saves the day bringing life to the colourful carousel that delivers a very special message from the man of the moment � Santa Claus.

This year the show will unveil some lively new elements. Adding to the carnival-style festive celebration, a special Big Top feature will showcase a wondrous winter scene with a magical marionette show.

Crown�s Christmas Spectacular is free of charge and will run every 30 minutes from 9.00 am � 12.00 midnight, seven days a week.

For further information contact Crown Customer Relations (03) 9292 8888 or visit www.crowncasino.com.au

Fantastic Festive Facts

� Crown�s Christmas Spectacular is the world�s largest fully automated Christmas display.

� The animatronic installation has a traditional Christmas style and flavour but has been developed with a twist, ensuring an element of surprise and pure entertainment. The animatronics features include monkeys, elves, reindeers, clowns, elephants and the star of the show, Santa Claus. These create a colourful combination of carnival and festive fantasy to the Christmas Spectacular.

� During this festive season, Crown�s majestic Atrium becomes an oversized playroom with decorations scattered around like discarded toys, wondrously frozen in time. The mood of the Christmas Spectacular is exuberant and entertaining and the audience is treated to a circus parade-style show with festive elements included.

� The huge clock face suspended under the Atrium Crystals signals the start of the show. In a colourful, almost dream-like sequence, the toys and displays come to life. Suddenly, playful Christmas monkeys descend from the ceiling to wreak havoc. But before they can get into too much mischief, the Christmas Fairy saves the day bringing life to the colourful carousel. A special circus big top is also unveiled and a magical marionette show presented before the king of Christmas � Santa Claus � makes an appearance.

� The entire Atrium space and all its water podiums are used as individual stages, showcasing various animated vignettes, all choreographed to a music score specially created for the Spectacular.

� The numerous displays incorporate a breath-taking collection of the most beautiful, handcrafted intricate decorations created in Melbourne by the theatrical industry�s finest craftsmen. See reindeers and elves, characters from the popular yuletide carol �the twelve days of Christmas�, clowns, polar bears and elephants.

� The giant clock contains eight fully animated Christmas elves with Santa and his reindeer flying around the moon.

� Central to the display is a replica carousel. A totally animated feature, this carousel provides the grand finale by surprising the audience with its authentic carnival characters and revolving �rounding boards�, decorative pieces that traditionally embellish the outside edges of a carousel. The surfaces contain mirrors and reflective finishes creating a huge mirror ball effect that project the spectacular multi million-dollar lightshow throughout the Atrium like a kaleidoscope.

� New to Crown�s Christmas Spectacular in 2004 is the Big Top feature which will showcase a wondrous winter scene with a magical marionette show. Dressed as Santa�s helpers, their lively routine pays tribute to New York�s famous the Radio City Hall Rockettes.

� Technology plays a large part in the display with sophisticated special effects, digital surround sound, cyber lights, theatrical projectors, and spotlights, all computer controlled. It also utilises a full, intricate theatrical flying winch system typical of any large theatre. A total of six winch lines capable of running 1 tonne in weight each will be utilised.

� Crown�s Christmas Spectacular is arguably the largest of any theatrical lighting productions of its kind, incorporating 300 moving lights run by a digital show control system. In 2004 over 400 exquisite, custom manufactured illuminated spheres will be installed in the crystal ceiling. With the use of complex computer controlled LED technology to facilitate state-of-the-art colour mixing, these festoon lights will emit an endless palette of hues and pattern combinations whilst maintaining environmentally-friendly low power consumption.

� The fully automated show is run by a control system using six computers, 8,000 LED colour changing lights, 795 theatrical lights, 4,000 bud lights, 7,428 lighting cues, 36,000 watts of sound, 54 automated motors. It involves 17,000 man hours in the making with 42kg of glitter, 3.6 tonnes of steel and 40km of cable.

� This FREE 10-minute Christmas Spectacular will run every half hour between 9.00 am and 12.00 midnight from 21 November 2004 to 9 January 2005. It will premiere at 11.00am on Sunday 21 November.

About the Creator � Christian Wagstaff � Crown�s Creative Director One of the opening team members for the Crown Entertainment Complex, Christian Wagstaff joined Crown in 1994. In his role as Crown Creative Director, he is responsible for the art direction of all aspects of Crown�s major events, marketing and key promotional activities. Wagstaff has a successful background in the world of television as a Set Designer, having created concepts for many of Australia�s highest rating game shows and televised award ceremonies and has also designed productions for live theatre.

He describes Crown�s Christmas Spectacular as �a discovery of grand proportions with a cavalcade of magic and wonderment. It is delightfully colourful and festive and presented in a theatrically orchestrated way. It appeals to both children and the child within us all.� * * * * *

Media enquiries, please contact: Shamini Murugan � Media Relations Manager Tel: +61 (0)3 9292 7614 or +61 (0)412 990 454 Email: shaminim@crownltd.com.au Information as at 25 October 2004