(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) You are working in Dubai's theatre sector for some time now. What do you feel about it?
First thing, Dubai has a lot of potential. But I think it's very fragmented at this point of time. There are a number of Arabic theatre comminities in various parts of Dubai which are unseen by the English-speaking community or the Hindi-speaking community. There are Emirati community groups producing theatre regularly. In DUCTAC or Madinat theatre, there are theatre groups coming from London or India to perform. There is lot of interaction. Community groups like Backstage or Dubai Drama Group are producing plays which are not usually seen by the Arabic speaking community.You got professional companies coming in, you have Arabic groups producing, you have community groups performing... But it's very fragmented.
Is there any attempt being made to unite these fragmented sections?
Yes, now there are. Look at the other sectors. For literature, there is the Emirates Literature Festival, for movies there is the Dubai International Film Festival, For visual arts there is SIKKA. But nothing of the sort for the theatre. At this point of time, the largest theatre festival is Short+Sweet. I think there is a massive opportunity to strengthen theatre and unify various aspects in the Dubai community.
I think there is not any clear blueprint formed yet. But there are attempts from Dubai Culture in this regard. Theatre in Dubai is now very embryonic stage. You have theatre happening in Dubai. But unifying it is a real challenge. But I hope working in tandem with the Dubai Culture, the Short+Sweet can be a sprinkle for creating more theatre.
Also read: Theatre to find a wonderland in Dubai soon
You are famous for 10-minute plays. How you turned into that?
I entered into that world in early 2000. I just see it as the world is speeding up and it's a lot faster now. And I think the audience's ability to process information is much faster. So play doesn't need to be three hours or four hours long. You see, 20-20 cricket is a perfect example. There are a lot of examples in making things more compact. I think there is a lot... a remarkable lot you can achieve in 10 minutes.
Do you think the Shakespearean sort of plays don't have a future?
Shakespeare certainly was a great playwright. During a period 400-450 years back, he was more popular. He is performed across many cultures. He was a master and absolute genius. But now, even his plays are being cut short while being performed. I think Shakespeare will be performed. But instead of a three-hour plays it may be lesser. Instead of longer form of theatre, the shorter form of theatre is getting more popular.
You are also an activist. How you think plays can be linked to activism?
Yeah... plays have very big role. I'm basically from Australia. Unfortunately, my country has a very disappointing record in terms of treating refugees. A very lucky country with a small population and lots of minerals. I have written a number of plays on that subject. I think 10-minute plays are a great format to express activist ideology. They can be strongly powerful in passing a message.
How was your experience with linking plays and politics?
It was very interesting. One of my plays in India was Voice behind the Fence which talks about a Muslim refugee in Australia's detention centre. It was performed regularly in India. In Indian culture, people are more willing to discuss more serious subjects while in Australia people seem to shy away from that. In Delhi protest, we performed 10-15 minute plays in street corners. We had a play called This Woman's Mind, about the treatment of women in India. I think theatre can play a tremendous role in activism.
Every culture has its own style of theatre. How can you unify them?
In Short+Sweet, we have different style of plays performed at a single place. We have Arabic plays, Hindi plays, English plays.
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