Lack of scripts, performers hinders national theatre

The lack of theatre scripts dealing with social issues, the shortage of actresses and the need for specialised theatre institutes were discussed in a seminar held here on Thursday.

The seminar, attended by several national theatre pioneers, stage directors and actors, discussed the history of the Fujairah theatre, problems facing the national theatre and ways to improve local theatre and attract larger audiences.

The seminar was attended by Dr Sulaiman Al Jasim, who was instrumental in establishing the Fujairah National Theatre in 1981; Fouad Al Shatti, Chairman of the Kuwait Theatrical Centre; Jino Lacopolo, Chairman of the Mediterranean Sea Festival of Theatre in Italy; Mohammed Saeed Al Dhanhani, Director of the Amiri Diwan in Fujairah; Dr Jawad Al Asadi, a director; Omar Ghubash, Chairman of the Theatrical Actors Association in the UAE, and actors from Fujairah and Dibba Al Fujairah.

"The spread of education and the opening of the first schools in the UAE in the 1950s is considered the beginning of the theatre movement in the country. In the early 1970s the Fujairah National Theatre was established," Al Jasim said.

At first there were many obstacles, including finding a suitable stage and funds. Local theatre dealt with stories of fishermen and pearl divers. They also featured folk dances and traditional tales.

"The first play presented by the Fujairah National Theatre was 'Seven-Zero' which was performed in 1981. We wanted to develop theatre in the emirate, so we presented more plays that dealt with local issues," Al Jasim said.

But a shortage of actresses remains a major problem for local theatre in the Gulf. There are 356 actors in the UAE theatre. Playwrights are another problem, because there are few good scripts dealing with real social problems.

"Other issues which still need to be looked at include the need to prepare good national actors, to sort out the problem of writing scripts in classical Arabic or coloquial, funds and competition from TV," Al Jasim said.

Al Shatti talked about the great support theatre has got from rulers, especially from His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, who has built several modern theatres and stages equipped with the best facilities.

Lacopolo talked about the remarkable performance of Fujairah actors in "Al Arida", a play which Dibba Al Fujairah Theatre presented in Italy last year at the Mediterranean Sea Festival.

"Although the audience did not know Arabic, they understood the story because of the outstanding performance of the actors," Lacopolo said. Mahmoud Abu Al Abbas, a director at Dibba Al Fujairah theatre, discussed the importance of training children who like theatre and want to be actors.

"We need to spread awareness among national youth about theatre and train them," Abu Al Abbas said.