Multilingual, amateur, charity shows will be performed by leading groups in Dubai


A Dubai-based amateur theatre group has organised a theatre festival in the city later this month, with all proceeds going to a special needs school, in keeping with the spirit of Ramadan. Pratibimb has organised the Multilingual Theater Festival in aid of Al Noor Centre for children with special needs.

"This is the holy month of Ramadan, a month for giving. All the money that comes out of this festival will go to Al Noor Centre. We have been given permission by the Department of Economic Development (Dubai) to hold the festival during this month because it is for a humanitarian cause," said M.H. Al Rizvi, founder-president, Pratibimb.

Every person connected with the plays - director, actors, technical crew - is an amateur. Because the festival is clearly aimed at encouraging local talent and promoting theatre in Dubai.

"This is the first time in the UAE a full theatre festival is being organised with local, amateur talent," pointed out Shatish Mody, chief co-ordinator, Pratibimb.

The Multilingual Theater Festival will be held from November 28 to December 5 at Emirates International School auditorium in Dubai. Doors open at 7.00pm and the play starts at 8.00pm.

Nine plays in eight languages will be staged. The languages include Hindi, English, Malayalam (two plays), Tamil, Marathi (two plays), Bengali and Sindhi. There will also be one silent play. The plays are from one to three hours long.

The plays are being staged by amateur theatre groups, community associations and cultural societies. Pratibimb members are providing the technical support.

"Originally, we wanted to award prizes for best play and best overall performances. But we decided against it because it is not possible to judge a play in one language against a play in another, because so many parameters are different," explained Rizvi.

"Also, no one judge could have known all the different languages. So now we have decided to award a trophy to the best actor in each play. Theatre enthusiasts speaking the language of the play will judge this."

All participants will also be given certificates and each group will be given a participating trophy.

Rizvi said the response to the festival has been good and Pratibimb chose these plays because of their strong scripts. "Every play can be watched with a family. They all have a message, whether a social play or a thriller. We hope to make this festival an annual event and to also draw in participation from other GCC countries," he added.

Tickets are priced at Dh15 for the shows. They are available from Sind Punjab restaurants in Bur Dubai and Karama, Dubai, and Dolarex textile showrooms in Dubai (Deira), Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.


Schedule:

- November 28 - Ret Kay Ankur (Hindi), staged by Pratibimb.
- November 29 - Kale Bett Lal Batti (Marathi), staged by Maharashtra Mandal.
- November 30 - Shondhar Tara (Bengali), staged by Bharatiya Bangiya Parishad. Also Desertscapes (silent), staged by Varavili Theater Expressions.
- December 1 - Oryvan Manithanagiran (Tamil), staged by Tamil Nadu Association.
- December 2 - Manj Ta Manj Na Ta Ta Vanj (Sindhi), staged by Hasya Kala Group.
- December 3 - Vatvatpurcha Vathukam (Marathi), staged by Anamik.
- December 4 - Dreams (English), staged by St. Mary's School, Dubai.
- December 5 - Vedikettu (Malayalam), staged by Dubai Amateur Theatre. Also Kathunnapura (Malayalam), staged by Bhavana Arts Society.