The fourth edition of the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre, a path-breaking initiative by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), is showcasing the shifting trends in theatre production with eight compelling plays that portray life in the Arab world.
Dubai Culture, the Emirate's dedicated authority for culture, heritage and the arts, is hosting the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre from October 1 to 10 at the Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association. During the festival, UAE-based theatre groups are trained on various aspects of theatre production and will present plays that are evaluated for a range of awards.
This year, the eight plays by the young theatre artists in the UAE, open new doors of understanding of Arab society, as perceived by the youth.
Salem Belyouha, Projects & Events Manager in the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: "The theatre-scene in the UAE is incredibly dynamic and has evolved considerably over the years, deriving inspiration from past masters and modern performers. Each performance lined up for DFYT is a testament to our youth talent."
He added: "As an artform, theatre has always played a key role in highlighting social realities. This year's plays are no exception. They give us insights on how the Arab youth perceive social realities and their inspirations. Some of the plays talk about personal relationships; other present the bigger picture of how the Arab youth perceive significant global events."
The opening night play, The Alley, performed by the Dubai National Theatre Group, narrates the story of three friends, playing in a dark alley, while discussing stories of their past, emphasizing the bittersweet memories of their youth.
The Youth Theatre for Arts Groups' The Storm, explores the lives of peace forces while they serve in their countries to keep the rest of the world safe. Through the play, audiences are exposed to the truth of the effects that war has on these heroes.
Slip of a Lifetime by Umm Al Quwain National Theatre Group tells us about the youth that have destroyed their lives through fighting, killing, and drugs, and how they commit suicide behind the prison that their actions have led them to.
An old man teaches a young boy to observe life through different perspectives when he puts him in a mental trance of thoughts in Modern Theatre Group of Sharjah's production, Door.
All of us dream of achieving the most that we can – so did Hamad. But his dreams are suddenly destroyed when his brother goes behind his back by selling the land he inherited and seducing his girlfriend. How does Hamad react in this situation? That is the core of Abu Dhabi Theatre Group's The Singer.
Relationships are made stronger when four boys exchange the opinions about each other while they are stranded in the desert after their car breaks down in Ras Al Khaimah's National Theatre Group's production, Journey of a Confession.
The Salt is Gone, a Dubai National Theatre Group production, illustrates how we deal with loss or catastrophe, and it mirrors the dissolution of salt in water. The life of two people, one married to an artist and one to a socialite is revealed on their eighth wedding anniversary in Ajman Association for Arts and Theatre's Lady of a Portrait.
