THIS National Day holiday, step aboard the renovated Minghua Ship — anchored in Shekou since 1983 and now reopening as Sea World Ancerville — and immerse yourself in “The Deal,” a physical-theater work directed by Amit Lahav, artistic director of Gecko Theater in the U.K.

After 1,000 days of renovation, the Minghua Ship at Sea World has been transformed into an immersive performance complex that combines theater with dining and retail. Restoring its original name Ancerville, which dates back to its 1962 launch in France, the renovated ship now offers 15,000 square meters of usable space, including a 4,600-square-meter theater.

Backed by China Merchants Group, “The Deal,” which premieres on Oct. 1, was specially created for Ancerville’s unique cabin spaces. Thirty-six professional actors from 12 countries were selected from more than 2,000 global applicants for this immersive physical-theater work.

“The Deal” draws inspiration from Goethe’s “Faust” and Gogol’s “The Overcoat,” reworking classic literature into a contemporary context. Set in 1930s Paris, the story follows Marcel, an impoverished, shy, low-level office worker who falls for a beautiful colleague and strives to prove himself.

Faced with brutal competition and harsh realities, Marcel is ultimately defeated; a momentary lapse leads him to trade his soul to the devil, and the fleeting success that follows turns out nothing like he imagined.

The production, with a multi-strand narrative, unfolds across eight performance areas on the ship and makes use of over 3,000 vintage props. There are no fixed seats, blurring the line between stage and audience: You may find yourself in a bustling Parisian street, witnessing office struggles, or dancing in a jazz bar. You are not just a spectator — you are part of the story.

The interior decor of Sea World Ancerville is inspired by Art Nouveau and infused with Eastern botanical motifs. Its first floor hosts coffee shops, dessert outlets, and cultural-creative stores. The second and third floors feature international dining options and offer views from the deck.

The fifth floor houses a French restaurant; the sixth floor offers fine-dining Chinese cuisine. The top (seventh) floor is a jazz bar. Dining and retail areas are scheduled to open at the end of October, when the ship officially reopens.

Booking: WeChat miniprogram “One蛇口”

Venue: Sea World Ancerville, Shekou, Nanshan District (南山区蛇口海上世界明华轮)

Metro: Line 2 or 12 to Sea World Station (海上世界站), Exit A(Cao Zhen)