Dubai is looking to draw more visitors by adding a new theater to its remarkably rich social and cultural life.
By late November 2003, the Dubai Community Theatre will be officially opened.
Addressing a meeting at the Four Points Sheraton in Dubai, Brian Wilkie, the project coordinator, said the theatre, which will cost an estimated Dh10 million, will be the venue for the Dubai arts festival in 2004.
According to Wilkie, the project is aimed at filling the "long-felt need" in the fast-growing emirate for a venue where cultural groups of all communities - Arab, Asian and Western can perform their works.
Wilkie was quoted by the Dubai-based Khaleej Times as saying that “the idea of having a community theatre has been well-received by the ruler's office.
“We also have the support of the Dubai Media City, which will host a press conference on November 10. Before construction can begin on this project, funds need to be raised. We have had received a pledge from the National Bank of Dubai to fund the project with half a million dirhams."
According to the coordinator, the theater, which will consist of an auditorium with parking for 240 cars, will be built on the grounds of the Dubai Country Club.
It will have a total of 500 seats, with about 360 downstairs and 140 in the lounge. The seats will be tiered and movable to allow up to 260 people to attend dinner theater presentations, the paper said – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
