Dubai: Dubai has set the stage for the preservation and growth of classical Arabic theatre performances over the past years through the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre and continues to do so this year with its ensemble of performances this week.
Now in its seventh year with the theme ‘Classical Arabic, Beautiful Theatre’, the festival opened on Saturday night at the Cultural and Scientific Association in Al Mamzar with performances from Emirati and UAE-based theatre talents. The festival is being held under the patronage of Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture).
A guest performance by specially-abled actors, Bab Al Baraha, kicked off the festival on Saturday night produced by the Ministry of Social Affairs. The show depicted the story of four old, disabled men who live in an elderly home, and their nurse, Fatima, who happens to relate to their misery, particularly after her husband passes away.
Five more plays will be showcased at the same venue this week beginning with Drama Beggars by Bani Yas Theatre on Sunday; Jasmine Blossom by the Youth Theatre for the Arts on Tuesday; Another Face by Al Ahli Theatre on Wednesday; Morning and Evening by the National Theatre of Ras Al Khaimah on Thursday; and Domino by Dubai National Theatre on Friday.
“Seven years and over 50 plays later, the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre has come to be one of the region’s most prominent platforms for performing arts. It is truly enriching to see how the festival has grown over the last six editions, with each year giving us deeper insights into how we can preserve this gracious art form,” Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General of Dubai Culture, said.
“We are confident that the seventh edition of the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre will undoubtedly be one of the best showcases of theatre to date,” he added.
To mark the growth of the festival over its last editions, a specially commissioned book will be unveiled on Monday. The book details the festival’s notable plays and the role that the festival has played in the UAE’s performing arts landscape.
The week-long festival will also recognise and honour Omar Gobash as its ‘Personality of the Year’ for his contributions to the emerging theatre talent. Gobash, who is the founder of the Association of Playwrights and Al Ahli Theatre, is also one of the founders of the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre.
