UAE | Heritage and Culture

'Our musical will be a tribute to Zayed's life and achievements'

A musical on the life and achievements of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan will be staged in Abu Dhabi to mark the UAE's National Day.

  • By Eman Mohammed, Abu Dhabi Deputy Editor
  • Published: 00:34 December 1, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Abdul Halim Caracalla (centre) gives workers instructions during stage preparation for the performance of his musical at the National Theatre in Abu Dhabi.
  • Image Credit: Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News

Abu Dhabi A musical on the life and achievements of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan will be staged in Abu Dhabi to mark the UAE's National Day.

The famous Lebanese Caracalla Dance Theatre has been preparing for the performance for the last six months.

The dance team started with daily rehearsals at the National Theatre in Abu Dhabi recently. The show will be staged on December 2, 3 and 4.

Challenge

The work, titled Zayed and the Dream is a new challenge for the dance group. They are known for historical works such as Andalusia and Two Thousand and One Nights, a musical adaptation of Arabian Nights.

Ivan Caracalla, director of the play, told Gulf News: "It is a great honour for us to present an art work on the legendary late Shaikh Zayed who is the father and protector of the nation. It is not easy to build a dance play around a contemporary character to be watched by his relatives, friends and people who knew him or lived in the same era," he said.

Abdul Halim Caracalla, founder of the theatre, put together the script after much research.

The journey took six months and all documents were provided by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, which is producing the play.

"The play is inspired by Shaikh Zayed's character to show the humanitarian side of the leader and his interest in the environment, desert, culture and education, besides being a wise politician," Caracalla said.

The play starts from the period before Shaikh Zayed was born, following his childhood until he becomes ruler and establishes the federation.

The play is full of surprises, Caracalla said: "Shaikh Zayed's real voice is used in many parts of the play and the actor who portrays Shaikh Zayed, appears very similar to the leader, with the help of a highly professional make-up team." Caracalla continued that more surprises would be revealed during the show.

A total of 160 performers, dancers, singers and technicians are taking part in the production. The stage set is huge and was manufactured in Milan, Italy.

Celebration: RAK plans march

Ras Al Khaimah's Police announced a march to mark the UAE's 37th National Day on Tuesday, at the same time warning that other marches or processions in the emirate will be illegal.

According to strict instructions issued by General Shaikh Taleb Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chief of RAK Police, those interested in participating should gather in front of Shaikh Zayed Mosque at 8pm.

The march will last until 11pm. Lt Col Ahmad Al Bogham, who heads the Police Patrols Section in RAK, warned that other random events will be illegal and that the police will act accordingly in such cases.

- Nasouh Nazzal, Staff Reporter

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