Sharjah [UAE], December 13 (ANI/WAM) — Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, attended the launch of the ninth Sharjah Desert Theatre Festival on Friday, in the presence of Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. The festival runs until 17 December and is staged in the Al Kehaif area of Sharjah.
The opening featured a theatrical performance written by Sheikh Dr Sultan titled “Al Barraq and Layla Al Afeefa.” The Ruler praised the actors, the script, the integration of poetic dialogue, and the advanced techniques used in the production, noting added elements of concept, spectacle, and cinematic presentation that diversified the work. He said the Sharjah National Theatre’s resources and commitment were fully available, enabling the play to represent the United Arab Emirates at the festival.
Sheikh Dr Sultan said the play aims to win the festival award and compete with entries from across the Arab world, stressing that any victory would be for the UAE rather than a personal or local title. He described “Al Barraq and Layla Al Afeefa” as distinct from previous works, noting its competitive nature and praising director Mohammed Al Ameri for producing a large, complex piece that masterfully blends stage acting with filmed sequences.
Reflecting on his lifelong dedication to theatre, Sheikh Dr Sultan recalled directing a successful play in 1954 that drew large audiences and earned 30,000 rupees, attributing its success to timing with a local holiday and performances held under the Ruwla tree. He urged the theatrical community to rise above trivialities, support one another, and uphold theatre that conveys strong, meaningful messages.
The Ruler highlighted the role of the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy in developing talent, saying the academy will produce many skilled graduates from across the Arab world and beyond. He emphasized nurturing students during study and supporting them after graduation to prevent talented graduates from being lost, and noted the academy’s openness to all nationalities.
Sheikh Dr Sultan warned against narrow regionalism in theatre, calling for goodwill and elevation of practitioners. He encouraged writers, directors, and performers to develop rapidly to compete internationally. He also recalled facing censorship in the late 1950s and early 1960s when a play he produced led to the theatre’s closure and confiscation of props after conflict with a British delegate.
At the festival site, which showcases Arab desert environments, customs, traditions, and creative heritage through theatre, Sheikh Dr Sultan watched folk troupe and heritage performances that integrated cultural traditions into scenes resonant with the audience.
“Al Barraq and Layla Al Afeefa” draws on Arab poetic heritage and historical tales celebrating heroism, chivalry, courage, loyalty, and love of the land. The production used vivid expressive techniques, filmed segments, and live animals such as horses and camels to translate poetic imagery into realistic scenes and deepen audience engagement. The play was staged by the Sharjah National Theatre and featured actors including Ahmed Al Jasmi, Basel Yakhour, Ibrahim Salem, Abdullah Masoud, and Azza Zarour, under the direction of Mohammed Al Ameri.
This edition of the festival, themed “Desert Theatre and the Aesthetics of Arab Folk Narratives,” seeks to explore artistic and technical possibilities offered by Arab folk tales to enrich the desert theatre experience and broaden its creative scope. The ninth edition concludes on the evening of 17 December. Senior officials and dignitaries attended the festival launch. (ANI/WAM)
(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
