"A quardens spa, on the outskirts of Verona, is typically the epitome of tranquility. Natural thermal springs feed expansive indoor and outdoor pools. Vineyards on the foothills of the Italian Alps grace the horizon. There are steam rooms, saunas, and a snow alcove, where snowflakes waft down on visitors wishing to cool off after a sweating session. But for a week this fall, the thudding bass of electronic dance music emanates from inside the spa's largest sauna."
"Adding to the chaos is the voice of presenter Sabine Rauh. "Let me remind you of the audience rules," she announces over the sound system while a team of dancing ushers (clothed) directs spectators vying for spots on six levels of wooden benches in the Colosseum-shaped sauna, capacity 300. "Please, no talking during the show. Clapping is fine, but no whistling-it distracts the performers.""
A Verona thermal spa known for tranquility transforms into an exuberant sauna-theatre venue for a week, with electronic dance music filling the largest sauna. Over 200 naked participants rush into an eighty-five-degree Celsius Colosseum-shaped sauna to a blaring remix. A presenter enforces audience rules while clothed ushers guide spectators across six bench levels in a 300-capacity space. Jumbo video screens and Western-themed props surround a five-metre rock oven. The event features competitors, including two brothers from Gatineau, Quebec, vying in the world sauna theatre championship with entrants from nineteen countries.
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