The authorities hoped that by staging such spectacles the arrival of young, idealistic missionary priests (most of whom were English), inspired by the Counter-Reformation, would be brought to a 'dead end'.

Louis XIV created the idea of the modern musical fountain by staging spectacles in the Gardens of Versailles, using music and fireworks to accompany the flow of the fountains.

He built a large theatre, instituted wrestling tournaments in honor of the Emperor, staged spectacles where men fought wild animals, and encouraged gentile immigration to Jerusalem.

He staged public spectacles and stunts with himself at the centre, once acting on the front of a line of carts where he paraded his skills as a boxer and singer, although he never pursued either of these activities on stage with anyone else.

Also they oversaw the organization of festivals and games (ludi), which made this a very sought after office for a career minded politician of the late republic, as it was a good means of gaining popularity by staging spectacles.

He approached Michelangelo in his omnicompetence: Bernini sculpted, worked as an architect, painted, wrote plays, and staged spectacles.

He staged lavish spectacles to signify the granting of favour to a subordinate-ruler, again "in the style of Roman emperors" and made the most of the great assemblies in which king and aristocracy joined to "maintain the healthy condition of the whole realm".

In recent years, photographers like Jeff Wall have expanded on Sherman's close-up method, creating obsessively staged spectacles that require the assistance of everything from a props master to a special-effects coordinator.

Most of these award ceremonies are lavishly staged spectacles, featuring singing, dancing, and numerous celebrities.

She has staged extreme masochistic spectacles that shock and repel.