The staging of a new play by Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, will mark the opening of the 11th Sharjah Theatrical Days Festival at the Sharjah Cultural Palace between March 17 and 27, according to Gulf News.
The play, entitled "Al Waqe' Sora Tabqul Asl" (Reality as it is), deals with the Crusader occupation of Palestine from AD 1093 to 1244. It is directed by renowned Iraqi director Qasim Mohammed.
Mohammed, who is also head of the Theatre Section at the Sharjah Department of Culture and Information (DCI), said that the three-act play has nine scenes dealing with important historical stages of the Crusades.
"More than 1,600 costumes and accessory items will be used by the actors and actresses during the two-hour show," he added.
According to the report, the opening play “sheds light on a glorious period of the Islamic history by highlighting the patriotism of those immortal men who resisted the occupation and liberated the occupied lands.”
Sharjah Theatrical Festival will have a cast of over 180 Arab and foreign countries - the UAE, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Yemen, Jordan, Palestine, Sudan, Iraq, Syria, India, Iran, Canada and France.
The ten-day festival will feature 16 shows by 14 local theatrical groups and three from Iraq, Qatar and Egypt.
In addition to open discussions and workshops on the sidelines of the event, two Emirati actors, Ahmed Al Jasmi and Sameera Ahmed, will be honored “for their key roles in enriching local theater.”
13 awards will be presented at the end of the festival. They include best overall theatrical production, best script, best director, best actor, best actress, best scene, and most distinguished Arab actor, as well as lighting, decor, costumes, sound effects, and make-up, said Gulf News – Albawaba.com
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