Thursday 30 October 2014

An Evening of Shakespeare at the Dubai International Writers' Centre

 
 
Thesps and Poets, particularly lovers of Shakespeare
 
The Dubai International Writers Centre  is opening on November 2nd and are holding events for poets, writers, and dramatists. "YAY. How absolutely marvelous." I hear you all agree.
 
So here's the treat for all you thespians. The Centre is hosting an  "Evening of Shakespeare " on the 9th of November. Under the stars darlings.... sigh......Here is a description of the event:

 

"Shakespeare’s flair for wordplay and dramatic twists has been appreciated in a multitude of languages. Most of all, it is meant to be spoken aloud. Join us for a free event at the Dubai International Writers’ Centre on 9th November, when we will enjoy excerpts from Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets in Arabic, English, French, and other languages"
 
Doesn't it just sound too divine?

 To register for the event click the below link:
 
 

There are some pretty special events taking place in November apart from the Shakespere Evening. These are listed below: 
 
Inaugural Events for Dubai International Writers’ Centre
November 2014
 
Creative Writing Master Class with Ben Okri
‘True literature tears up the script’ of how we see ourselves, Ben Okri writes in his latest book of essays, A Time for New Dreams. A Booker-Prize-winning novelist, Okri was born in 1959 in northern Nigeria. As a teacher of writing, his approach challenges the writer’s perceptions and awakens their sensibilities. A rare and unique opportunity.  
Date: Sunday, 2 November
Time: 7:30 – 10:00 pm with 30 minute break
Cost: AED 500
Spaces available: 15
 
Two-day Nabati Poetry Conference and Poetry Evening
Nabati poetry, noted for its spontaneous and direct style, has been passed down through the generations in the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula since the 16th century. This two-day conference, the first of its kind, celebrates this form in simultaneous translation. The general public as well as academics are invited to learn more about Nabati poetry from experts such as Oxford University professor Clive Holes, Professor for the Study of the Contemporary Arab World, and Professor Saad Sowayaan, Professor of Anthropology and Folklore at King Saud University.
Date: 3 November from 10 am – 4 pm; 4 November from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Cost: Free with lunch and refreshments provided
Spaces available: 200
 
Evening Nabati Poetry Reading
Enjoy an evening of traditional and contemporary Nabati poetry en plein air on Tuesday, November 4th from 8 pm onwards. Nabati poetry has been passed down through the generations in the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula since the 16th century.
Date: 4 November 8 – 9:30 pm
Cost: Free
Spaces available: 200
 
Effective Journalism in Difficult Times: A Seminar with Abdel Bari Atwan
The Dubai International Writers’ Centre is set to hold a fantastic seminar for journalists on November 4. The seminar will be conducted by famed journalist and Founder and Editor-in-chief of Rai al-Youm, Abdel Bari-Atwan.
Abdel Bari-Atwan is recognized as an engaging speaker and a foremost expert in Middle East affairs. He is regularly invited to speak and write on topics related to this region and was chosen as one of the fifty most influential Arab personalities in the world by British publication – The Middle East.
Date: 4 November
Time: 5 – 7 pm
Cost: AED 250
Spaces available: 20
 
 
Educational Seminar on Nabati Poetry
At this half-day seminar, Oxford University professor Clive Holes will present a brief history of three Arabic ‘debate’ poems, which have been shared in their English translation with over 300,000 students in the United Kingdom.  Ideas on how to incorporate Nabati poetry into the classroom for children between the ages of 9 and 11 will also be discussed.
Date: 5 November
Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Cost: Free with refreshments
Tickets available: 20
 
Maximize your Impact: Public Speaking Workshop with Fiona Lindsay
Speaking in front of a crowd can be a terrifying experience, but it has also become an essential skill that many professionals require. Find your voice and build your confidence with Fiona Lindsay, formerly of the Royal Shakespeare Company, in an all-day workshop that combines public speaking and performance exercises. Book early for this popular workshop, which sold out at the 2013 Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.
 
Date: 9 November
Time: 10:00 am – 16:00 pm
Cost: AED 400 including light lunch
Spaces available: 20
 
An Evening of Shakespeare
Enjoy a celebration of Shakespeare under the stars with short readings of our favorite passages in an evening of readings by local enthusiasts.
Date: 9 November
Time: 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Cost: Free
Spaces available: 100
 
Shakespeare in Your Space – King Lear
A practical exploration of Shakespeare’s epic tragedy.
An encounter with a play should be an exploration that considers a series of questions, and opens up multiple interpretations. This interactive workshop will introduce the story, character, themes and language of King Lear through a series of practical rehearsal-room techniques, to immerse participants in the world of the play.
Date: 10 November
Time: Two separate sessions: 8:30 – 11:30 am and 12-30 – 15:30 pm.
This session is available for school groups of up to 30 students.
 
 
From page to screen: Akira Kurosawa’s Ran
Akira Kurosawa said, "What has always troubled me about King Lear is that Shakespeare gives his characters no past. In Ran, I have tried to give Lear a history." With commentary by Fiona Lindsay formerly of Royal Shakespeare Theater Company and renowned film critic Mohammed Rouda, Kurosawa’s epic 1985 film promises an evening of culture and enlightenment.
Date: 10 November
Time: 6:00 – 9:30 with intermission
Cost: Free
Spaces available: 200
 
Beginners Arabic Language Course
The course will be taught via the Communicative Approach, which emphasizeslevel.
Date & Timings: Sunday and Wednesday evenings from 7 – 9 pm, beginning 19 November.
Cost: 2500 for 10 weeks
Spaces available: 20

And here is a MAP!
 

Wednesday 8 October 2014

Raw Theatre Productions are putting on Cyrano De Bergerac

 
 
 

 Raw Theatre are relative new comers to the Dubai Theatre scene though not to the theatrical world. Brother James and Chris Gaddas have both been involved in theatre in the UK with James being a familiar face on British stage and TV. The brothers have teamed up with some of our Dubai talent and between the 16th and 18th of October at DUCTAC in Mall of the Emirates you can treat yourselves to RAW's production of Cyrano De Bergerac.



Being an utter philistine my complete knowledge of Cyrano De Bergerac is made up of childhood stories of high romance and the 1987 movie "Roxanne"  as a modern take on Edmund Rostand's play.  Oh my gosh did I say "modern"? 1987  that was  27 years ago! I am sooooooo old. Not as old as the original work at 117 years young. I would say that this is a story that has stood the test of time. 
 
I am looking forward to seeing my first Raw production in the form of Glyn Maxwell's adaptation of the original play.
 

 





Practise makes perfect

Tickets are available at DUCTAC at Mall of the Emirates on-line and at the DUCTAC box office. You can all DUCTAC on
04 3414777