Sharjah: Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, witnessed the premiere of Narratives of the Place (Sard Al Makan) at Al Majaz Amphitheatre, Sharjah, on Tuesday.
Organised by Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), the ambitious production celebrates the 50th anniversary of accession of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
The immersive and experiential theatrical show, which will continue its run at Al Majaz Amphitheatre from January 26-29, narrates the history of the emirate and its extraordinary journey and accomplishments over the past 50 years. Incorporating ten creative art forms, the show combines poetry and narration, ancient and contemporary music and is a grand spectacle of breathtaking visual imagery.
Unveiling an epic battle scene
The show, which comprises 11 immersive scenes, opens against the backdrop of a crucial period in the emirate’s history when the Qawasim resisted the Portuguese and Dutch invasions. Amid a charged-up atmosphere in the amphitheatre, resounding with the thunderous roar of cannons, the show unveils an epic battle scene that culminated with the triumph of Sharjah and the retreat of the invading fleets.
Through impeccable performances, each scene takes the audience on a journey back to several decades. One visually-stunning scene features a young woman in a traditional Emirati embroidered dress, whose enchanting song about the glories of the emirate is performed against a background of the rising sun and its dazzling rays — in reference to the meaning of the word, ‘Sharjah’ (Rising Sun).
Illustrating fearless forefathers
As each scene seamlessly leads into another, the audience is taken on a pearl-hunting adventure where a highly talented cast of acrobatic performers and artistes transform the stage into a fantastical world, featuring the ocean and breaking waves. A boat carrying pearl divers perfectly illustrates the fearless forefathers of the emirate as they venture into the sea, undaunted by the challenges of the perilous journey.
The scene, set to a background score of the captivating sound of waves, is accompanied by mesmerising performances, holding the audience in rapt attention. The music reaches a crescendo as pearls appear on the scene, signifying the bounty of the sea and the tremendous impact it has had on the emirate’s development journey.
The show continues with a scene that speaks volumes of the profound relationship shared by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi with books. A story depicting the time when His Highness pledged his golden dagger gifted to him by his father to buy books affirms the Sharjah Ruler’s belief in the role of knowledge as a catalyst for the emirate’s growth.
Breathtaking display of aerial acrobatics
From scenes highlighting theatrical performances and audio narration, the show moves on to a highly artistic segment where performers carry out a breathtaking display of aerial acrobatics with dazzling lights to portray the impact of a knowledge-led approach to development.
The show continues to enrapture audiences with a scene depicting the extraordinary development journey of the emirate under the Sharjah Ruler’s reign. In yet another example of choreographed acrobatic performances, the artistes are seen building a gigantic structure and the scene concludes with the appearance of the Sharjah Mosque — an abiding symbol of faith and the largest and most iconic mosque in the emirate reputed for its grandeur and architectural beauty, and a grand testament to the emirate’s strides in development over the past 50 years.
The show concludes with music and solo and group performances and acrobatic dances that illustrate Sharjah’s journey to becoming a globally attractive destination to live and work. A plane full of tourists that land on stage also depict Sharjah’s meteoric rise and appeal as a top tourist destination. The scene concludes with a memorable acrobatic finale.
A fabulous picture mosaic made up of citizens, residents and visitors who love Sharjah appear in the shape of the number ‘50’ and marks the conclusion of the show in a glorious celebration of the 50th anniversary of the accession of Dr Sheikh Sultan, which fell on January 25.
