Home >> Festivals >> Short+Sweet Theatre Dubai 2015
When
Friday, February 6, 2015 to Saturday, February 28, 2015
Where
DUCTAC
Mall of the Emirates
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
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Short+Sweet Theatre Dubai 2015

SHORT+SWEET DUBAI 2015

The full schedule for SHORT+SWEET DUBAI 2015 has now been finalised. To check out all the plays, actors and directors CLICK HERE

Tickets for the Festival are now ON SALE. To book your tickets CLICK HERE

SHORT+SWEET is a not for profit organisation registered in Australia that runs the largest festival of 10 minute plays in the world as well as educational workshops and training programmes throughout schools and the wider community.

After the smash hit successes of our Festivals in 2013 and 2014 Short+Sweet Dubai will return bigger and better in February 2015! Short+Sweet Dubai 2015, presented by the Korath Group and supported by Dubai Culture, will be held at a number of venues including DUCTAC in the Mall of the Emirates from February 5th to February 28th, 2015. More than 250 of Dubai’s most exciting actors, writers, directors and Independent Theatre Companies will present over 60 10-minute plays.

The festival will include something for everyone - comedy, drama, romance and thrillers – and all in just 10 minutes! Plays presented in the festival will include the best 10-minute plays from around the world as well as scripts by some of Dubai’s top playwrights, brought to life by Dubai's top actors and directors. Festival Director Liz Hadaway will be joined by Festival Producer Alex Broun.

Short+Sweet Dubai is Dubai's biggest and best short play festival and brings together all Dubai's top theatre groups - Backstage, Dubai Drama Group, Theatrics, Third Half Theatre, and American School of Dubai.

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'A mammoth amount of fun for participants and audiences alike’David Light, Khaleej Times

 ‘Ten minute theatrical gems’ - Time Out, Singapore

‘If you’re looking to taste the future of theatre, try Short+Sweet’  - Sydney Morning Herald

‘The most exciting theatre event to hit local stages in years’  - The Times of India

Principal Festival Partners
Development Partners

Abu Dhabi will get its first taste of the world’s largest ten-minute play festival, Short+Sweet, on Saturday May 30th with a whole day of activities designed to inspire local arts lovers to get involved with Short+Sweet Abu Dhabi.

Culminating in a showing of our brand new touring show Shorter+Sweeter – the Best... read more

For the first time ever in Abu Dhabi, Constellation presents Shorter+Sweeter - the best of Short+Sweet Dubai

A night of the best plays from Short+Sweet, the world’s largest ten-minute play festival, performed by some of Dubai’s best actors and brought to the stage in stunning productions by Artistic Director Liz Hadaway... read more

For the first time ever in Dubai, Constellation presents Shorter+Sweeter - the best of Short+Sweet Dubai

A night of the best plays from Short+Sweet, the world’s largest ten-minute play festival, performed by some of Dubai’s best actors and brought to the stage in stunning productions by Artistic Director Liz Hadaway and Associate Director Sidd Jose, at... read more

The Short+Sweet Dubai Theatre Festival, presented by Korath Group and supported by Dubai Culture, closed to rapturous applause at DUCTAC in the Mall of the Emirates on Saturday night February 28th with... read more

After another amazing weekend of Short+Sweet Dubai 2015 the full list of productions for this year's Red Carpet Gala Final this Friday and Saturday night February 27th and 28th at 7.30pm, has been confirmed. Book your tickets... read more

TOP 30 - WEEK 1

DATES: Friday February 6th & Saturday February 7th at 7.30pm

VENUE: Kilachand Theatre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates

(PLEASE NOTE - PLAYS ARE NOT LISTED IN ORDER!)

BUY TICKETS

AND WHAT A DAMN FINE MORNING IT IS

Another... read more

SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED FOR SHORT+SWEET DUBAI 2015

Congratulations to the following plays that have been shortlisted for Short+Sweet Dubai 2015:

Title                                           Writer                                              Country

A Date with Doris                      Jilly Gardiner                                    UAE... read more

Learn how to write a great 10-minute play with the world’s leading experts in 10-minute plays – Alex Broun. Alex has had over one hundred 10-minute plays performed around the world in over 1000 productions in over 30 countries.

Alex Broun, the Associate Festival Director of the Short+Sweet Dubai Theatre... read more

REGISTRATIONS CLOSE: Thursday 6th November 2014

Any script entries received will be considered for:

Short+Sweet Dubai 2015 only

If you wish your play to be considered for all other Short+Sweet Festivals around the world please apply through the 'Submit a Script for Short+Sweet Dubai 2015 and International Festivals'  form.

Please... read more

REGISTRATIONS CLOSE: Thursday 20th November 2014

Register your interest as an Actor for Short+Sweet Dubai 2015, the biggest little play festival in the world!

Registering as an actor for the Short+Sweet Festival means that you will have the opportunity to audition for all of the festival’s directors at once. We will be producing over 60 plays – your perfect role... read more

REGISTRATIONS CLOSE: Thursday 6th November 2014

Register your interest as a Director for Short+Sweet Dubai 2015, the biggest little play festival in the world!

If you are selected as a Director for the festival, you will get to pick from the top scripts from Dubai based and international writers which we will receive this year and a line-up of amazing actors. You... read more

Sponsorship Opportunities

  1. A number of exciting sponsorship opportunities are available for Short+Sweet Dubai. If you are interested in taking advantage of any of these great opportunities please contact the Associate Festival Director Liz Hadaway on shortandsweetdubai@gmail.com or the Festival Director Alex Broun on abroun@bigpond.net.au


    FESTIVAL FRIEND


    As a Festival Friend you or your chosen company are entitled to these benefits:


    + 2 free tickets for use at any time during  the Top 30 or Wildcards shows


    + Official acknowledgement in the Festival programme


    + Official acknowledgement on the programme for Short+Sweet’s official presentation at The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature


    + Official thanks on the Short+Sweet website www.shortandsweet.org


    + 10% off all Short+Sweet workshops for the Feb 2014 - Jan 2015 season


    + Free official Short+Sweet Dubai 2014 T-shirts with the words ‘Festival Friend’


    LEVEL OF SUPPORT: AED1000


     


    BRONZE SPONSOR


    As a Bronze Sponsor you or your chosen company are entitled to these benefits:


    + Logo placement on electronic rolling screens in Mall of the Emirates, Mirdiff City Centre and Deira City Centre.


    + Logo placement and acknowledgement on the programme for Short+Sweet’s official presentation at The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature


    + Logo placement on posters inside and outside DUCTAC 


    + Logo placement on electronic screens inside DUCTAC


    + Inclusion on DUCTAC website www.ductac.org


    + Promotion on Short+Sweet website www.shortandsweet.org


    + 2 free tickets to the RED CARPET GALA FINAL


    + 5 free tickets for use at any time during the Top 30 or Wildcards shows


    + Logo and acknowledgement in the Festival programme


    + 2 free official Short+Sweet Dubai 2014 T-shirts with your company name and the words ‘Bronze Sponsor’


    LEVEL OF SUPPORT: AVAILABLE ON REQUEST


     


    SILVER SPONSOR


    As a Silver Sponsor you or your chosen company are entitled to these benefits:


    + Logo placement on electronic rolling screens in Mall of the Emirates, Mirdiff City Centre and Deira City Centre.


    + Roll up in the foyer at DUCTAC throughout the Festival period


    + Logo placement and acknowledgement on the programme for Short+Sweet’s official presentation at The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature


    + Logo placement on posters inside and outside DUCTAC 


    + Logo placement on electronic screens inside DUCTAC


    + Inclusion on DUCTAC website www.ductac.org


    + Promotion on Short+Sweet website www.shortandsweet.org


    + Presentation of awards at RED CARPET GALA FINAL by a company representative


    + 4 free tickets to the RED CARPET GALA FINAL


    + 10 free tickets for use at any time during the Top 30 or Wildcards shows


    + Logo and acknowledgement in the Festival programme


    + 5 free official Short+Sweet Dubai 2014 T-shirts with your company name and the words ‘Silver Sponsor’


    LEVEL OF SUPPORT: AVAILABLE ON REQUEST


     


    GOLD SPONSOR


    As an Gold Sponsor you will receive a  marketing campaign that will drive awareness and association of your company/brand name in this winning program, including:


    •Logo inclusion on all electronic screens inside Mall of the Emirates (65 Screens), Mirdiff City Centre (94 Screens) and Deira City Centre (39 Screens)


    •VIP seats for 4 at the RED CARPET GALA FINAL plus invites to the official Launch Party & Closing Night event


    •Logo inclusion on all advertising with Media Partner of SHORT+SWEET Dubai up to and during the Festival


    •Logo on the SHORT+SWEET Web site sponsor page (www.shortandsweet.org), hyperlink & sponsor bites


    •Logo inclusion in a social media campaign reaching national audience as well as on all event posters, programmes and flyers


    •Recognition at all performances, the RED CARPET GALA FINAL & official Launch Party & Closing Night event


    •Emcee mentions throughout all the shows


    •Company Personal part of the Final Awarding Ceremony


    •Banner at DUCTAC


    •Logo inclusion on all Official T-Shirts


    LEVEL OF SUPPORT: AVAILABLE ON REQUEST


     


    PLATINUM-TITLE SPONSOR


    As a Platinmum-Title Sponsor you will receive an extensive marketing campaign that will drive awareness and  association of your company’s name in this winning program:


    •Company/Brand name becomes part of SHORT+SWEET


    •Your name will appear in the beginning of each spot: “Your name” presents SHORT+SWEET, …with your company logo


    •Prominent logo inclusion on all electronic screens inside Mall of the Emirates (65 Screens), Mirdiff City Centre (94 Screens) and Deira City Centre (39 Screens)


    •Prominent logo inclusion on all advertising with Media Partner of the SHORT+SWEET Dubai up to and during the Festival


    •VIP seats for 10 at the RED CARPET GALA FINAL plus invites to the official Launch Party & Closing Night event


    •Prominent logo on the SHORT+SWEET Web site sponsor page (www.shortandsweet.org), hyperlink & sponsor bites


    •Prominent logo inclusion in national social media campaign


    •Enhanced logo placement on promotional materials


    •Prominent logo on event posters, programmes and flyers


    •Recognition at all the performances, the RED CARPET GALA FINAL & official Launch Party & Closing Night event


    •Emcee mentions throughout all the shows


    •Company Personal part of the Final Awarding Ceremony


    •Banner at DUCTAC


    •Prominent logo inclusion on all Official T-Shirts


    •Prime Company Location Board at DUCTAC during the Festival


    •PR radio segment


    •Strong front on all social media platforms


    •Visibility in the following years promos bites


    LEVEL OF SUPPORT: AVAILABLE ON REQUEST


     


     


     


     


     


2015 Shortlisted scripts

  1. SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED FOR SHORT+SWEET DUBAI 2015


    Congratulations to the following plays that have been shortlisted for Short+Sweet Dubai 2015:


    Title                                           Writer                                              Country


    A Date with Doris                      Jilly Gardiner                                    UAE


    A Day at the Beach                    Shina Ahmad                                    UAE


    A Good Deed For Mr Stinky      Judith Duncan                                  Australia


    Black Coffee                               Deanna Ableser                                USA


    Breaking News                          Ayreej Rahiman                                UAE


    Captain Everything                   Pete Malicki                                      Australia


    Celebrity                                    Cliff Single                                         UAE


    Cluster F                                     Fiona Paterson                                 UAE


    Dance Partners                         Sarah Pritchard                                Australia


    Dead-set Sicko Loser                 Bruno Starrs                                     Australia


    Dear Darlings                           Erika herbert                                         UAE


    Discovery in the Bathtub         Christopher McDermott                          UAE


    Dog Bites Man                           Cerise de Gelder                               Australia


    Eggshells                                    Georgia Williams                              Australia


    End Point                                   John McDermott                               UAE


    Going Viral                                 Brandon M.Crose                             USA


    Good for Something                  Morteza Farzaneh                            UAE


    Halloween                                  Sabiha Majgaonkar                          UAE


    Ho$tage                                      Maha Zeibak and Osman Aboubakr       UAE


    Honeymoon                               Hani Yakan                                       UAE


    Hypnosia                                    Osman Aboubakr and Maha Zeibak       UAE


    In Spenglic                                 Niku Sharei                                       UAE


    Indicator                                    Fiona Paterson                                 UAE


    Judgement                                 Mohamed Awad                               UAE


    Keeping Annabelle                   Rachel Welch                                    UK


    La Marie Vision                        Yasmina Khattar                               UAE


    Late For School                          Iain Moss                                           Malaysia


    New Year's Eve                         David MacGregor                             USA


    News To Me                               Graham Yates                                   Australia


    Next                                            Jesse Macpherson                            UAE


    Next Door Neighbours              Marie Dullaghan                              UAE


    Pain                                            Vasanth Subramaniam                    India


    Pick up your chair and walk    Frank Dullaghan                              UAE


    Put That Coffee Down!             Toast D'Bechamel                            Australia


    Questions                                   Cliff Single                                         UAE


    Raghead                                     Thomas Coash                                USA


    Reservations                              Jeffrey Fischer-Smith                       USA


    Snail Mail                                   Peter Bloem                                      Australia


    Something To Tell You             Ashleigh Stathakis                            Australia


    Speaking Freely                         Jack Kelly                                          Australia


    Star Power                                 Ted Wenskus                                    USA


    Take this job and shove it        Peter Milner                                     UAE


    Taste of Mangoes                      Yasmina Khattar                               UAE


    TBFK                                           Fiona Paterson                                 UAE


    The Acid Test                           Soumiya Hussain                                UAE


    The Asylum                                Frank Dullaghan                              UAE


    The Babysitter                           Sadhana Natalikhan                        UAE


    The Bird                                     Fiona Paterson                                 UAE


    The Consultant                          Jordane Chedotal                             UAE


    The End                                     Frank Dullaghan                              UAE


    The Journey                               Jaidev Sanketi                                   UAE


    The Kill                                       Alex Broun                                        UAE


    The Literary Monogamist         John Lombard                                  Australia


    The Messdeck                            Rosine Saad                                      UAE


    The Passport                             henry hall                                         UAE


    The perfect match                    Muhammad Sarim Irfan                 UAE


    The perfect Meeting                 Kim Varnai                                        UAE


    The Second Wedding               Baindu Dafina Kalokoh                   UAE


    The Water's Edge                     Michael Lill                                        Australia


    Third Strike                               Charlie Cunningham                       UAE


    Time's Up                                   Cliff Single                                         UAE


    Trouble                                      Mike Green                                       UAE


    Unpredictable                           Nikhat Rafiq Rafiq                            UAE


    We have a problem with forgetting          George Mitton                UAE


    We're Rolling!                            Sandra Margolese                            UAE


    Wilde Fragmentations              Nathan Finger                                  Australia


    Wish                                           Bokkie Robertson                             Australia


    Yeh Shaam Mastani                  Dilip Keshav Paranjape                   UAE


    You're Driving Me Crazy          Todd Wallinger                                USA


    Congratulations to all our shortlisted writers!


    These plays have now been offered out to our directors who will select which play they would like to direct at the festival. The complete list of plays selected to be performed at the Festival will be announced by mid-January 2015.


    The following Independent Theatre Company productions (ITC) will also be presented at the Festival.


    Title                                           Writer/Director/ITC


    Child Soldier                              Written by J.Thalia Cunningham (USA), Presented by Backstage,


                                                       Directed by Ankita Manikantan


    Cold Feet                                    Written and directed by Iobel Andemicael (UAE),


                                                       Presented by American School of Dubai Adult Drama Group


    I love you two                            Written and directed by Pawan Manghnani (UAE),


                                                      Presented by Aish Outt Productions


    It's All the Rage                         Written by Carl J. Sorheim (Australia), Presented by Backstage,


                                                       Directed by Gautam Goenka


    It could happen to you/Shackles      Written by Abhijit Baurah (UAE)


    Mandate                                    Written by Kelly Younger (USA), Presented by Backstage,


                                                      Directed by Arjun Burman


    Moving Fast                              Written by Adam Gelin (Australia), Presented by Backstage,


                                                      Directed by Chandni Varma


    Rub-a-dub-dub                         Written and directed by Liz Hadaway (UAE),


                                                       Presented by Inspire           


    TBC                                             Directed by Priyanka Johri, Presented by Backstage


    The Break                                  Written and directed by Caroline Fernandez (UAE),


                                                      Presented by Backstage


    The Bronx Budgie                     (Winner Summer Stage Write 2014),


                                                       Written and directed by Mike Green (UAE), Presented by Backstage                 


    The Ithica Project                     (Runner up Summer Stage Write 2014), Written by Arjun Burman (UAE),


                                                       Presented by Backstage, Directed by Akshay Gehi


    The King is Dead                       Written by David Jay (RAK),


                                         Presented by RAKADS (Ras Al Khamimah Amateur Dramatic Society)                            


    Untitled                                      Written by Nirjhar Chakraborty (UAE),


                                                       Presented by Srijon                        


    Walpurgisnacht                         Written by Bettina Schober and Nina Hein (UAE),


                                                       Presented by incorpore productions         


    The following ITCs will also present productions at the Festival: Third Half Theatre, American School of Dubai (ASD), ASD Adult Theatre Group, Dubai Drama Group, Loom Ensemble, Theatrewallas Productions and Star Too.


    Thanks to all the wonderful writers and ITCs who submitted works. We’re looking forward to an amazing Festival.


    Short+Sweet Dubai will be held at DUCTAC in the Mall of the Emirates on February 6 and 7, 13 and 14, 20 and 21 and (GALA FINAL) 27 and 28, 2015. Tickets will go on sale early in January 2015.


    AUDITIONS


    The auditions for Short+Sweet Dubai will be held between Noon to 6pm on Friday December 5th and 10am to Noon on Saturday December 6th.  If you would still like to register for an audition or know anyone who would please simply email us at shortandsweetdubai@gmail.com to request an audition.


     


    All the best, The Short+Sweet Dubai Team


     


Top 30 - Week 1

  1. DATES: Friday February 6th & Saturday February 7th at 7.30pm


    VENUE: Kilachand Theatre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates


    (PLEASE NOTE - PLAYS ARE NOT LISTED IN ORDER!)


    BUY TICKETS


    AND WHAT A DAMN FINE MORNING IT IS


    Another beautiful morning at Arabian Ranches, where neighbors and friends Ted & Jim remind each other exactly why they love the Joneses so much.


    Writer: Trace Crawford (USA)


    Co-directed by Philip Jamal Rachid & Jamal Hassan Iqbal


    A SugarDandy & SoulTrotter Presentation


    Cast: Philip Jamal Rachid (Ted), Jamal Hassan Iqbal (Jim)


     


    DAWNTIME BLUES


    Sunrise Blues is adapted from the full length performance "Prime," playing now at thejamjar, through the end of February. More info, please visit www.LoomEnsemble.com


    Writer: Neva Cockrell (USA)


    Director: Raphael Sacks


    Co-presented by the Art Monastery Project, and Loom Ensemble


    Cast: Neva Cockrell (Eos), Raphael Sacks (Peter)


     


    DISCOVERY IN THE BATHTUB


    Archimedes’ Principle indicates that the upward force on a body immersed in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid that is displaced. The play tells this story.


    Writer: Chris McDermott (Dubai)


    Directors: Chris McDermott and Cris Mejia


    Script editor: Erik Thornquist


    Cast: Erik Thornquist (Ajax), Beth Burrows (Katina), Rick Johns (Archimedes)


     


    HERE COMES TROUBLE


    Trouble… Now there’s a word. Here Comes Trouble is a tale of love, loss and skidding wheels. Enjoy the Ride!


    Writer: Mike Green (Dubai)


    Director: Celia Cookson


    Cast: Ramya Bala (Miss Pangle), Rob Tasker (Algernon), Jojo José (The Driver),


    Mike Green (Cuthbert)


     


    HYPNOSIA


    A story about the time worn struggle between passion and duty; or is it?


    Writer: Osman Aboubakr and Maha Zeibak (Dubai)


    Director: Osman Aboubakr


    Production: Maha Zeibak


    Technical Support: Shihas Salim


    Special thanks to: Mohammed Rahmo, Adam Radolinski, Ava Ghasemi


    Cast: Lydia Maskall (Cyllene), Ahmar Iqbal (Kale), Amit Kapur (President Charron), Manjunath Naidu (Guard)


     


    PARADISE


    A bold, relishing take on the Adam and Eve story … a satire on history of relationships.


    Writer: Steven Hopley (Australia)


    Director: Sabiha Majgaonkar


    Presented by Orb Drama Club (ODC)


    Cast: Lynsey Wright and Ryan D’Sa


     


    TAKE THIS JOB AND SHOVE IT


    Rachel is a long serving and conscientious member of the ACME company. It is her life, outside of work she only has her cat for company. Abdul is the security man who has to break some bad news. Is there room for revenge here?


    Writer/Director: Peter Milner (Dubai)


    Presented by Dubai Drama Group


    Cast: Erika Herbert (Rachel, an employee of ACME), Ali Noman (Abdul, the security man from ACME)


     


    THE BRONX BUDGIE


    The winner of Backstage’s Stagewrite competition leaves you breathless like a canary in a trouser press. We got dames, hoods, and a story of Love with guns… What more d'ya want, already?


    (Winner Summer Stage Write 2014)


    Writer/Director: Mike Green (Dubai)


    Presented by Backstage


    Cast: Celia Cookson (The Femme Fatale), Brent Jenkins (The Writer), Ahmar


    Iqbal (Flynn), Jad Rouphael (The Gangster), Akshay Gehi (The Second Gangster)


     


    THE ITHICA PROJECT


    Lucy stares down Dr. Mason under the harsh light of a secure D.O.D facility. He’s rambling on with stories on time travel: “These are not stories!” he loudly interrupts.


    (Runner up Summer Stage Write 2014)


    Writer: Arjun Burman (Dubai)


    Director: Akshay Gehi


    Lights and Sound: Jimish Thakkar


    Presented by Backstage


    Cast: Shihas Salim (Dr. Stan Mason), Butool Zaidi (Lucy Maxwell), Billy Acklam (Dr. Mark Emmet), Jenny Gray (Dr. Liz Mitchell), Osman Aboubakr (Dr. George Andrews), Akshay Gehi (Emergency Intercom)


     


    THE MALTESE WALTER


    Hammett’s classic noir style meets a Freudian couch in this 10-minute wonder replete with slick banter, casual humour and just the right amount of absurdity that will leave you wanting. Because once you go noir…


    Writer: John Minigan (USA)


    Director: Siddarth Sivaprakash


    Presented by Theatrics


    Cast: Sanjeev Dixit (Dr.Eddy), Siddarth Sivaprakash (Walter), Shereen Saif (Vera)


     


    THE PRISONER


    This February after being taken, one person will get to the truth. He will resist. He will not be a prisoner. He will not be a number. He will be a free man.


    Writers: David Daly and Celia Cookson (Dubai)


    Director: Robert Tasker


    Cast: Suraj Gill (The Prisoner) Christine Jones (Number 2) Mark Marlborough (The Butler) Tanita Sandhu (Rover)


     


    THE SECRET ORIGIN OF THE MOJO MAN


     


    Two best friends, one is trying to convince the other they have super powers and that they can get ANY girl in the world.


    Writer: Walter Wykes (USA)


    Directors: Phil Ridley, Gemma Jones, Marcia Irving


    Presented by American School of Dubai


    Cast: Keenan Shuman (Mickey), Sami Malas (Vick), Clara Harter (Bree)


    BUY TICKETS


     


     


     


     


Top 30 - Week 2

  1.  


    DATES: Friday February 13th & Saturday February 14th at 7.30pm


    VENUE: Kilachand Theatre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates


    BUY TICKETS


     


    1. NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOURS


    James’s little brother marries his wife’s best friend, and comes to live next door. It’s all one big happy family. But maybe they’re just too close for comfort…


    Writer/Director: Marie Dullaghan (Dubai)


    Assistant Director: Kevin Reeves


    Cast: Kevin Reeves (James), Hassan Bello (Peter), Rosine Saad (Susan), Lorena Eugenia Arcos (Geraldine)


     


    2. THE MESSDECK


    The Supernatural Messdeck of all great leaders in History is having an extraordinary meeting to find a solution for the events in 2014 timeline.


    Writer/Director: Rosine Saad (Dubai)


    Assistant Production : Dan Frederick


    Cast: Adam St (Julius Caesar), Erik Thronquist (Winston Churchill), David Ym Carré (Napoleon Bonaparte), Danabelle Gutierrez (Queen of Sheba), Britney Miller (Cleopatra), JD Laljani (Obi One Kenobi), Hyunseung Hahn (Elvis Presley),  Dan Frederick (Leonidas).


     


    3. MANSTRUATING


    Are women living in a man's world or are men living in a woman's world?


    Writer: Adam Szudrich (Australia)


    Director: Ankita Manikantan


    Sounds: Anish Rao


    Presented by Backstage


    Cast: Ali Asgar Raja (MAN), Ankita Manikantan (WOMAN)


     


    4. PAIN


    Do two wrongs make a right? One man's confrontation with the very reason he finds himself asking the same question.


    Writer: Vasanth Subramaniam (India)


    Director: Rory McLoughlin


    Presented by Theatrical Immigrants


    Cast: Oliver Marriott


     


    5. RUB-A-DUB-DUB


    Once upon a time and very long ago, a most strange occurrence happened. There lived a candlestick-maker and his wife, who longed for a child.


    Writer/Director: Liz Hadaway (Dubai)


    Presented by The Theatre Company


    Cast: Mike Green (Borden), Lisa Harter (Clotilda), Manjunath Naidu (More), Alisha Ahmad, Khadija Ahmad, Maahiya Jain, Nikhat Rafiq, Ashmit Ribeiro, Ashlyn Ribeiro (ensemble)


     


    INTERVAL


     


    6. SOULMATE


    A heart-breaking, hair raising story about a couple who share an apartment. A dark story of love, which will make you think how and where you will find your soul mate?


    Original Idea/Concept : Anshuman Singh/Yasir Jah


    Theatrical Adaptation : Prakash Soni


    Presented by Theatrewallahs Productions


    Cast : Sapna Rao, Ramdas Rao and Rahul Taneja


     


    7. INDICATOR


    Romance is about to stall for London couple Dex and Stra: they're losing spark arguing over a friend's wedding. Will they find a sign to help them turn things right?


    Writer/Director: Fiona Paterson (Dubai)


    Cast: Pawan Manghnani (Dex), Hazel Lucas/Fiona Paterson  (Stra), Vibha Vinodrai (Fida), Fiona Paterson/Vibha Vinodrai  (Waitress)


     


    8. A PROBLEM WITH FORGETTING


    She didn't mean to leave the dog out overnight, but they punished her anyway. If only that were all she'd forgotten.


    Writer/Director: George Mitton (Dubai, from UK)


    Cast: Marie Dullaghan (Angela)


     


    9. SARAH


    Nick, a New York City firefighter, is expecting an All-American girl for a blind date but finds himself in for a surprise.


    Writer: Tom Coash (USA)


    Director: Sunil Jasuja 


    Presented by Third Half Theatre


    Cast: Disha Joseph (Sarah), Kalyan Chakravarthy (Nick)


     


    10. A DAY AT THE BEACH


    The Stork and The Grim Reaper head to the beach for some downtime, but these workaholics are finding it hard to unwind on their one day off a century.


    Writer: Shina Ahmad (Dubai)


    Director: Juliska Szik


    Technical support: Tamas K. Antal


    Cast: Rick Johns (The Stork), Eric Dury (The Grim Reaper)


     


    11. LA MOUCHE


    This poor customer walked in the wrong restaurant.


    Writer: Stephen Bittrich (USA)


    Director: Paula Abbott


    Assistant Director Paige Ardill


    Presented by ASD Adult Theatre


    Cast: Ahne Crawford-Ridley (Pierette), Mark Needs (Customer), Mark Schmidt (Chef), Phil Ridley (Jacques)


     


    BUY TICKETS


Top 30 - Week 3

  1. DATES: Friday February 20th & Saturday February 21st at 7.30pm


    VENUE: Kilachand Theatre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates


    (PLEASE NOTE - PLAYS ARE NOT LISTED IN ORDER!)


    BUY TICKETS


     


    1. HONEYMOON IS OVER (Arabic/English)


    The honeymoon is finished early and secrets spill out in the most unexpected place ...


    Writer/Director: Hani Yakan (Dubai from Syria)


    Presented by Dubai Drama Group


    Cast: Hani Yakan (Husband), Hajer Al Musleh (Wife), Namrata Gill (Airport check-in officer)


     


    2. QUESTIONS


    Questions: A twisted interrogation of power, persuasion and delusion.


    Writer: Cliff Single (Dubai)


    Director: Caroline Brooks


    Presented by Dubai Drama Group


    Cast: 13 Feb - Jonathan Siklos (Smith) and Toby Masson (Jones); 14 Feb - Toby Masson (Smith) and Jonathan Siklos (Jones)


     


    3. IT'S ALL THE RAGE


    Alex is 22 years old. He likes to skate, he listens to punk music, he wears hoodies. …And he has a fantasy that isn’t all that healthy.


    Writer: Carl J Sorheim (Australia)


    Director: Gautam Goenka


    Presented by Backstage


    Cast: Asad Raza Khan (Alex)


     


    4. WISH


    How one short chat between a fourteen years old girl dying of cancer and a famous actor can change some of your priorities.


    Writer: Bokkie Robertson (Australia)


    Director: Hana Erskine


    Cast: Adam St (Jack), Lydia Maskall (Stephanie)


     


    5. EPILOGUE: THE DAUGHTERS OF BERNARDA ALBA


    In this imagined epilogue to Federico Garcia Lorca’s 1935 play, The House of Bernarda Alba, Adela is dead; her sisters, imprisoned by their mother’s perverted sense of honor, struggle to survive.


    Writer/Director: Iobel Andemicael (Dubai) after Lorca


    Co-Directors: Lisa Harter, Aida Laubach, Polly Root and Panayiota Triantafyllou, with special thanks to Paula Barry, Marcia Irving and Ahne Crawford Ridley.


    Presented by ASD Adult Theatre


    Cast: Lisa Marie Harter (Bernarda Alba), Polly Root (Poncia), Aida Laubach (Angustias), Panayiota Triantafyllou (Martirio), Iobel Andemicael (Magdalena)


     


    6.  I CAN TELL YOUR HANDBAG IS FAKE


    Three ladies travelling in the train, their handbags, their stories about the handbag and all the madness you can possibly imagine!!!  


    Writer: Dean Lundquist (Singapore)


    Director: Siddhartha B Jose


    Cast: Cristina Mejia (HOLLY), Maha Husain (LULA), Ramya Bala (MAE)


     


    INTERVAL


     


    7. THE CASE OF THE MISSING NECKLACE


    Mystery surrounds the disappearance of a precious jewel. Until Dick Piston arrives on the scene.


    Writer: Adapted from "Praguenosis" by Jeff Goode.  With permission.


    Directors: Michel Atieh, Salman Qureishi and Hananah Zaheer


    Presented by The Royal Shakespeareans


    Cast: Michel Atieh, Salman Qureishi, Hananah Zaheer


     


    8. THE KILL


    "Sweet Dreams!", we wish everyone, hoping they could become reality. But what about Nightmares? If they too could come true ... Would you dare to dream again??


    Writer: Alex Broun (Dubai)


    Director: Gargi Basu


    Cast: Jayesh Raj (Simon) & Aaqeel Shariff (Wayne)


     


    9. TRÉTEAU


    I don’t know how to describe this play; some alternate titles were: ‘It’s All Been Done Before Too’ and ‘Think Inside The Box’. I suppose in many ways it’s a distillation of my love—our love—for the theatre.


    Writer/Director: Sanjeev Dixit (Dubai)


    Presented by Third Half Theatre


    Cast: Shereen Saif, Minali Patel, Ushma Shah Jasuja, Cmith Sarkar, Dharam Veer Sood, Siddarth Sivaprakash, Sunil Jasuja


     


    10. THE END


    If the world was due to end today, what would you do?  Sandra and Adam are in an elevator with ten minutes to go….


    Writer: Frank Dullaghan (Dubai)


    Director: Kathryn Pepper


    Cast: Sandra Spencer (Sandra), Manjunath Naidu (Adam)


     


    11. MANDATE


    Forced into a guy’s night out by their wives, a stay-at-home dad and a stay-in-his-cubicle accountant go on a disastrous ‘first date’ only to learn that friendship really is magic.


    Writer: Kelly Younger (USA)


    Director: Arjun Burman


    Presented by Backstage


    Cast: Kailash Nair (Marc), Zain Sheikh (Drew)


     


    12. I LOVE YOU TWO


    Valentines at AKS Lounge, Casanova Aal mentoring his shy friend Lucky on how to score any woman in the world! An 'Exotic' Comedy of Lust Versus Love ! Who’ll Win?


    Writer/Director: Pawan Manghnani (Dubai)


    Choreography: Namrata Manghnani


    In loving memory of Late Sunil Bherwani 


    Presented by Aish Outt Productions


    Cast: Amirbehzad (Aal), Hitesh Sukhnani (Lucky), Jennifer Mauerhofer (Ms. Exotic Filipino, Ms. Exotic Russian, Ms. Exotic Local, Ms. Exotic Indian), Mel Kay (Ms. Saudi Arabia 2015)


     


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Wildcards - Week 1

  1. DATE: Saturday February 7th at 2.30pm


    VENUE: Kilachand Theatre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates


    (PLEASE NOTE - PLAYS ARE NOT LISTED IN ORDER!)


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    A DATE WITH DORIS


    Doris, a pensioner and a widow, looks to shake things up in her life by getting back into the dating game.


    Writer: Jilly Gardiner (RAK/UK)


    Director: Adnan Bashir


    Cast: Sabiha Latif (Doris), Adnan Bashir (Tom)


     


    BLACK COFFEE


    A “chance” encounter in a coffee shop and the often uncomfortable energy that must be expended to make a connection with another possible kindred soul. As long as they drink their coffee …black.


    Writer: Deanna Ableser (USA)


    Directors: Beth Burrows/ Taraash Mehrotra


    Cast: Beth Burrows and Taraash Mehrotra


     


    DEAR DARLINGS


    Writer/Director: Erika Herbert (Dubai/Hungary)


    Cast: Elizabeth Patino (Ms Seabass), Sherry Dang Briet (Cat)


     


    END POINT


    Many like to think that marriage lasts forever. Or do we? End Point is a play about a vengeful and vicious husband, spurned by his wife. Or is it?


    Writer: John McDermott (UK)


    Director: Kalyan Chakravarthy


    Lights & Sound: Sunil Jasuja


    Cast: Cristina Mejia (Megan), Jo Jo Jose (Louis), Jenny Turkington (Mrs.Green), Christopher McDermott (Director)


     


    MOVING FAST


    Writer: Adam Gelin (Australia)


    Director: Chandni Varma


    Presented by Backstage


     


    SURGERY


    A priest visits the dentist of a small town in India with a toothache but finds himself trapped in the hands of an amateur sub-ordinate … from hell.


    Writer: Anton Chekhov (Russia)


    Hindi adaptation: Sunil Jasuja, Kalyan Chakravarthy


    Director: Disha Joseph


    Presented by Third Half Theatre


    Cast: Kalyan Chakravarthy (Dentist’s assistant), Sunil Jasuja (Priest)


     


    THE BEST, BIGGEST, AND GREATEST SHOW YOU'VE EVER SEE, EVER, ANYWHERE ON THE EARTH (IN THEN MINUTES OR LESS)


    This is the best, biggest, and greatest show you've ever seen, ever, anywhere on earth, in ten minutes or less.


    Writer/Director: Jesse Macpherson (Canada/Dubai)


    Writing Collaborator: Ian Rogers


    Cast: Timou and Minou Karaztikan (as themselves), Paulina "The Bearded Lady" Paulson (as herself), DareDevilDan (as himself), 20 tame monkeys (as themselves), 3 mostly tame crocodiles (as themselves), The Lizard Man (as itself), Bertie -the world's only half elephant, half rhinoceros! (as The Amazing Bertie)


     


    THE PERFECT MATCH


    A tale of awkward moments when Ali’s parents take him along to pick a girl for him over a high tea in an arranged marriage setup.


    Writer/Director: Muhammad Sarim Irfan (Dubai)


    Photographers: Bilal Shafiq Bhatti photography & Abdul Rehman


    Graphic designing: Exhibitcv


    Cast: Amlan Sengupta (Ali), Mehreen Ali (Ali's mom), Rahul Kumar (Ali's Father), Niharika Pathak (Sarah), Subrata Ravinder Singh (Sarah's mom)


     


    THIS WOMAN'S MIND


    About women's repression in certain parts of the world.


    Writer/Director: Aishwarya and Joshua


    Presented by The Ripple Effect


    Cast: Rohan Nayak (Father), Mithilla (wife), Ananya (child), Monisha (teenager), Namratha (dancer), Purnima (dancer), Aishwarya (dancer)


     


    WHAT'S FOR BREAKFAST?


    Nothing typical about this morning but...! Soha, the young journalist comes back home after staying missing for her friends and family for 24 hours only to realise the true facts of life and relationships.


    Writer: Nitesh Tiwari (India) (English Adaptation: Rashi Sharma)


    Director: Prakash Soni


    Music: Rohan Utpat and Vinayak.


    Singer: Ishita Chaturvedi.


    Lyrics: Pranjal Choudhary


    Music Operation: Lakshman Rao


    Lights: Prakash Soni


    Presented by Theatrewallas Productions


    Cast: Rashi Sharma (Soha)


     


    YEH SHAAM SUHAANI (Retirement-Home) (Hindi)


    Due to nuclear family of present day, it is not possible to take care of Greying Generation of house. To overcome this situation it is best option to decide and stay in Retirement Home.


    Writer: Dilip Paranjape (India / Maharashtra)


    Director: PRADEEP ROY CHAUDHARY (India / Bengal)


    Cast: Rajinder Kaur Bharaj (Devika) (Female), Dilip Paranjape (Dinanath) (Male)


     


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Wildcards - Week 2

  1. DATES:  Saturday February 14th at 2.30pm


    VENUE: Kilachand Theatre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates


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    1. THE SECOND WEDDING


    This drama portrays the explosive moments of a faithful wife, whose arrogant husband marries a second woman, and moves the new bride into their home.


    Writer: Baindu D. Kalokoh (Abu Dhabi)


    Directors: LéJon April and Baindu D. Kalokoh


    Cast: LéJon April (Rita), Baindu D. Kalokoh (Leslie), Charles Sibanda (John)


     


    2. THE BABYSITTER


    How far would you go with technology?


    Writer/Director: Sadhana Natali-Khan (Dubai)


    Cast: Kazim Khan, Ella Hohmann, Connor George, Paula Hohmann and Haider Khan.


     


    3. V.D.


    Sofie is in her 30’s, slightly neurotic and has spent many a Valentine’s Day alone. This year she is asked out by a stranger. Will she risk a blind date on Valentine’s Day with a perfect stranger?


    Writer: Pete Malicki (Australia)


    Director: Divya Shetty


    Presented by Orb Drama Club (ODC)


    Cast: Sabiha Majgaonkar


     


    4. THE ACID TEST


    A modern day relationship drama, where Michelle is tired of dating the wrong guys, and hopes to find her Mr. Right in Keith. Is Keith is the right one?


    Writer/Director: Soumiya Hussain (Dubai)


    Cast: Eliane El Tromb (Michelle), Niku Sharei (Patricia), Andrew Teperdjian (Keith Rogers), Soumiya Hussain (Female Customer), Deepen Gandhi (Charlie)


     


    5. STARRY LITTLE STORIES


    A quest to recapture that natural wonder of childhood, where shadows were never shadows but strange, horned creatures, and simple sticks were capable of destroying worlds.


    Writer: Ryan Kayello (Dubai), Dhruti Shah


    Director: Pascal Buyse (Belgium)


    Visual Designer: Kalki Karthikeyan


    Presented by The Loom Ensemble


    Cast: Ryan Kayello, Dhruti Shah, Raphael Sacks, Neva Cockrell,  Nikita Patel, Pascal Buyse (ensemble)


     


    6. MANDRAGORA


    A man recovers to find he has some of the memories of the person who died from the same accident.


    Writer: David Sharpe (Australia)


    Director: Rhea Dixit


    Presented by Third Half Theatre


    Cast: Sanjeev Dixit (Isaac), Minali Patel (Mother, Mrs. Lucas, Paula)


     


    INTERVAL


     


    7. THE KING IS DEAD


    Are you at a revivalist meeting or in a shabby theatre witnessing a revival of another kind? Is the King dead or alive? Life and death in 21 songs.


    Writer/Director: David Jay (RAK/UK)


    Presented by RAKADS (Ras Al Khamimah Amateur Dramatic Society)


    Cast: David Jay (The King), Robert McCarthy (Manager/MC), Shelley Lawson (Heckler)


     


    8. WILLING SUSPENSION


    A moving exploration of a father and son relationship.


    Writer: Abhijit Baruah (Dubai/India)


    Director: Aaqeel Shariff 


    Cast: Abhijit Baruah, Farzeen Mehta and Abhimanyu.


     


    9. PROTIGHATOK (Bengali)


    Two contract killers find themselves in a hotel room, contracted to kill each other. After settling down and as trust develops, they discover that they have been contracted by the same man…both their lives are now in danger.


    Writer: Adapted from The Assignment by Graham Jones by Tanusree Chakraborty


    Director: Tanusree Chakraborty ( West Bengal , India )


    Presented by Srijon


    Cast: Supriya Ganguli ( Mr G ), Nirjhar Chakraborty ( Mr C )


     


    10. IN SPENGLIC


    In Spenglic, sacrificing your identity for a job is the status quo. Meetoo has just arrived and is hired at Globitron, where she deliberates fight, flight or forgo for survival.


    Writer/Director: Niku Sharei (Dubai)


    Cast: Fiona Paterson (KellA), Poonam Ganglani (Meetoo), Sherry Dang Briet (ShelB)


     


    11. FIRING FRANCINE


    Francine is driving her boss crazy.


    Writer: Don Hannah (Canada)


    Directors: Phil Ridley, Gemma Jones, Marcia Irving


    Presented by American School of Dubai


    Cast: Aya Abou-Jaoude (Iris), Tala Al Rajjal (Francine)


     


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Wildcards - week 3

  1. DATE: Saturday February 21st at 2.30pm


    VENUE: Kilachand Theatre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates


    (PLEASE NOTE - PLAYS ARE NOT LISTED IN ORDER!)


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    1. GOOD FOR SOMETHING


    Through the interplay of a bank management trainee's first day on the job on Wall Street and his chance encounter with a New York City cab driver the play explores how as society and as individuals we come to terms with what is "good" as we struggle to make something of our lives.


    Writer: Morteza Farzaneh (Dubai)


    Director: Nyra Constant


    Production Manager: Maryam Farzaneh 


    Cast: Imad Tello ( Iztak/Instructor), Eliot Zein (Narrator/Student #1), Ken Estoesta (Student #2 (Kim)), Elizabeth Patino (Student #3 (Late Arrival)), Eliane El Tromb (Student #4 (Focus girl)), Kurt Pereira (Taxi Driver)


     


    2. PLEASE HAVE A SEAT SOMEONE WILL BE WITH YOU SHORTLY


    David and Sue sit there week after week in their shrinks' waiting room reading magazines. So who says you should never talk to strangers?


    Writer: Garth Wingfield (USA)


    Directors: Phil Ridley, Gemma Jones, Marcia Irving


    Presented by American School of Dubai


    Cast: Sanjit Chakravantry (David), Maryam Abdallah (Sue)


     


    3. THE JOURNEY


    The journey of Jackie Plato through the film industry has been a series of sleepless nights. Can he realise his dreams in the midst of all the drama?


    Writer/Director: Jaidev Sanketi (Bangalore, India)


    Script development and casting: Taraash Mehrotra


    Cast: George Anastasiades (Jackie Plato), Laura Denmar (Mother), Sandra Spencer (Tina), Rishika Kasliwal (Fan girl), Aysan Kargar (Alana), Alan Williams (George), Abraham Vadakkan (Mr. Khan), Jaidev Sanketi (Billy)


     


    4. UNPREDICTABLE


    The delightful tale of two loving flowers and their adventures with the bees, fruits and humans!


    Writer/Director: Nikhat Rafiq (Dubai)


    Cast: Jake Thompson (Pom), Ines Zerelli (Ranata ), Sara Dolati (Bee & Fruit female), Mehreen Chowdhury(gardener), Karim Elmallakh (Bee & Driver) and Omar Addis El Yassir (Fruit male)


     


    5. LA MARIE VISON


    An Old lady embracing her mink coat that not only keeps her warm but keeps the memories of her younger days alive where love, joy and sadness mix together to produce somehow a funny and yet poignant story.


    Writer/Director: Yasmina KICI KHATTAR (From France but living in Dubai)


    Cast: Mina KICI KHATTAR (La Marie Vison)


     


    6. FALLING


    Have you ever fallen off your bike? Out of a tree? On your face? In love? Out of love? For someone you shouldn’t have?  Through the air? In someone’s opinion?


    Writer: Angie Farrow (NZ)


    Presented by Short+Sweet Acting group


    Cast: Eliane El Tromb (Holly), Hiba Ayoub (Reporter), Adam St (Doctor), Callum Webster (Leo), Fariha Iqbal (Paticia)


     


    INTERVAL


     


    7. RELICS


    Mathilde Kruger hasn’t seen her husband since 1944. Tonight, from the sickening underbelly of society, Mathilde will extract the light she so desperately needs to face the rest of her life alone. So rejoice with Mathilde because tonight - finally - her husband is coming home!


    Writer: Brett Danalake and Iain Triffitt (Australia)


    Director: Subrata R. Singh


    Presented By Orb Drama Group


    Thanks to: Jimish Thakkar, Ronak G. Kunder, Hassan Ali, Fahad Hassan, Mehreen Ali, Shivin Singh, Ravinder Singh


    Cast: Kathryn Pepper, Ameerzeb Amjad, Zain Sheikh


     


    8. THE CONSULTANT


    A down-on-his-luck executive and a vacationing businessman meet in the lobby of a swanky hotel - in a chance encounter that changes everything for them forever.


    Writer/Director: Jordane Chedotal (Dubai)


    Cast: David Daly (Guest), Ahmed Rabieh (Business Man)


     


    9. BANK WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS


    Robbing a bank is hard enough, and it doesn’t get any easier when the lobby is filled with congenial customers. Bank thief Marcus has his hands full when side issues and conversations among the victims keep interrupting his robbery.


    Writer: Jim Gustafson (USA)


    Directors: Sheryl Porbanderwala


    Presented by ASD Adult Theatre


    Cast: Sam Matthews (Marcus), Mark Schmidt (Jackson), Polly Root (Sally), Jean Candiotte (Older Woman), Phil Ridley (Older Man), Clair de Valk (Young Woman), Iobel Andemicael (Middle-aged Woman), Zara Kazi (Teenage Girl)


     


    10. MANTA RAY AND BUTTERFLY


    "Manta Ray and Butterfly" was created through 4 weeks of Loom Ensemble's Interdisciplinary Theatermaking Workshops. For more info, please visit www.LoomEnsemble.com


    Written by Pascal Buyse


    Directed by Neva Cockrell


    Cast: Rindala Semaan, Natalie Wehbe


     


    11. THE BREAK


    Tina and her boyfriend go on a break and she heads to New York City to distract herself, quickly discovering just how much she’s missed while absorbed in her relationship.


    Writer/Director: Caroline Fernandez (Dubai)


    Assistant Director: Romita Maitra


    Presented by Backstage


    Cast: Disha Joseph (Tina), George Mitton (Beekeeper), Paurav Shah (Farukh Shan), Kuvam Sharma (Dancer), Vikram Ahuja (Boyfriend)


     


    12. THIRD STRIKE


    12. THIRD STRIKE


    Fantasy Land rules, section 815-B-0-AD, states that all theft, sexual misconduct, embezzlement, forgery, farting without saying "Excuse me" and belching in common places are prohibited. If convicted the offender may be sentenced to death.


    Writer: Charlie Cunningham (Abu Dhabi)


    Presented by The Short+Sweet Acting group


    Cast: Taylor Re'Lynn (Cupid), Maryann Antony (Leprechaun), Natalia Key (Pristine), Erika Herbert (Easter Bunny), Sai Bhaswana Ghate (Bellina), Murat Ozturk (Tooth Fairy)


     


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RED CARPET GALA FINAL

  1. (GALA FINAL PREVIEW: Friday February 27th at 7.30pm)


    DATE: Saturday February 28th at 7.30pm


    VENUE: Kilachand Theatre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates


    BUY TICKETS


    The best 11 productions of the Festival as chosen by our audience and judges from the three weeks of Top 30 and Wildcards.


    (PLEASE NOTE: PLAYS ARE NOT LISTED IN RUNNING ORDER)


     


    IT'S ALL THE RAGE


    (TOP 30 WEEK 3 - JUDGE'S CHOICE)


    Alex is 22 years old. He likes to skate, he listens to punk music, he wears hoodies. …And he has a fantasy that isn’t all that healthy.


    Writer: Carl J Sorheim (Australia)


    Director: Gautam Goenka


    Presented by Backstage


    Cast: Asad Raza Khan (Alex)


     


    LA MARIE VISON


    (WILDCARDS 3 - JUDGE'S CHOICE)


    An Old lady embracing her mink coat that not only keeps her warm but keeps the memories of her younger days alive where love, joy and sadness mix together to produce somehow a funny and yet poignant story.


    Writer/Director: Yasmina KICI KHATTAR (From France but living in Dubai)


    Cast: Mina KICI KHATTAR (La Marie Vison)


     


    MANSTRUATING


    (TOP 30 WEEK 2 - JUDGE'S CHOICE)


    Are women living in a man's world or are men living in a woman's world?


    Writer: Adam Szudrich (Australia)


    Director: Ankita Manikantan


    Sounds: Anish Rao


    Presented by Backstage


    Cast: Ali Asgar Raja (MAN), Ankita Manikantan (WOMAN)


     


    RUB-A-DUB-DUB


    (TOP 30 WEEK 2 - JUDGE'S CHOICE)


    Once upon a time and very long ago, a most strange occurrence happened. There lived a candlestick-maker and his wife, who longed for a child.


    Writer/Director: Liz Hadaway (Dubai)


    Presented by The Theatre Company


    Cast: Mike Green (Borden), Lisa Harter (Clotilda), Manjunath Naidu (More), Alisha Ahmad, Khadija Ahmad, Maahiya Jain, Nikhat Rafiq, Ashmit Ribeiro, Ashlyn Ribeiro (ensemble)


     


    STARRY LITTLE STORIES


    (WILDCARDS 2 - JUDGE'S CHOICE)


    A quest to recapture that natural wonder of childhood, where shadows were never shadows but strange, horned creatures, and simple sticks were capable of destroying worlds.


    Writer: Ryan Kayello (Dubai), Dhruti Shah


    Director: Pascal Buyse (Belgium)


    Visual Designer: Kalki Karthikeyan


    Presented by The Loom Ensemble


    Cast: Ryan Kayello, Dhruti Shah, Raphael Sacks, Neva Cockrell,  Nikita Patel, Pascal Buyse (ensemble)


     


    THE BRONX BUDGIE


    (TOP 30 WEEK 1 - JUDGE'S CHOICE)


    The winner of Backstage’s Stagewrite competition leaves you breathless like a canary in a trouser press. We got dames, hoods, and a story of Love with guns… What more d'ya want, already?


    (Winner Summer Stage Write 2014)


    Writer/Director: Mike Green (Dubai)


    Presented by Backstage


    Cast: Celia Cookson (The Femme Fatale), Brent Jenkins (The Writer), Ahmar Iqbal (Flynn), Jad Rouphael (The Gangster), Akshay Gehi (The Second Gangster)


     


    THE ITHICA PROJECT


    (OVERALL TOP 30 PEOPLE'S CHOICE SELECTION)


    Lucy stares down Dr. Mason under the harsh light of a secure D.O.D facility. He’s rambling on with stories on time travel: “These are not stories!” he loudly interrupts.


    (Runner up Summer Stage Write 2014)


    Writer: Arjun Burman (Dubai)


    Director: Akshay Gehi


    Lights and Sound: Jimish Thakkar


    Presented by Backstage


    Cast: Shihas Salim (Dr. Stan Mason), Butool Zaidi (Lucy Maxwell), Billy Acklam (Dr. Mark Emmet), Jenny Gray (Dr. Liz Mitchell), Osman Aboubakr (Dr. George Andrews), Akshay Gehi (Emergency Intercom)


     


    THE PERFECT MATCH


    (OVERALL WILDCARDS PEOPLE'S CHOICE SELECTION)


    A tale of awkward moments when Ali’s parents take him along to pick a girl for him over a high tea in an arranged marriage setup.


    Writer/Director: Muhammad Sarim Irfan (Dubai)


    Photographers: Bilal Shafiq Bhatti photography & Abdul Rehman


    Graphic designing: Exhibitcv


    Cast: Amlan Sengupta (Ali), Mehreen Ali (Ali's mom), Rahul Kumar (Ali's Father), Niharika Pathak (Sarah), Subrata Ravinder Singh (Sarah's mom)


     


    THE SECRET ORIGIN OF THE MOJO MAN


    (TOP 30 WEEK 1 - JUDGE'S CHOICE)


    Two best friends, one is trying to convince the other they have super powers and that they can get ANY girl in the world.


    Writer: Walter Wykes (USA)


    Directors: Phil Ridley, Gemma Jones, Marcia Irving


    Presented by American School of Dubai


    Cast: Keenan Shuman (Mickey), Sami Malas (Vick), Clara Harter (Bree)


     


    THIS WOMAN’S MIND


    (WILDCARDS 1 - JUDGE'S CHOICE)


    Our dance drama takes you through the story of a girl child born into a family with a misogynistic father, and the stages of her life from oppression to power. The dance is the representation of the girl's mind.


    Writer/Director: AishwaryaShivkumar and Joshua Johnson


    Presented by The Ripple Effect


    Cast: Rohan Shashikant Nayak, Mithila Lad Nayak, Ananiya V Lakshmi, Monisha Sukumar, Namratha Sankar, Abbas Moiz, Ajmal Hussein Saudagar, Purnima Ananthanarayan, Rajendiran Arunachalam and Aishwarya Shivkumar.


     


    TRÉTEAU


    (TOP 30 WEEK 3 - JUDGE'S CHOICE)


    I don’t know how to describe this play; some alternate titles were: ‘It’s All Been Done Before Too’ and ‘Think Inside The Box’. I suppose in many ways it’s a distillation of my love—our love—for the theatre.


    Writer/Director: Sanjeev Dixit (Dubai)


    Presented by Third Half Theatre


    Cast: Shereen Saif, Minali Patel, Ushma Shah Jasuja, Cmith Sarkar, Dharam Veer Sood, Siddarth Sivaprakash, Sunil Jasuja


    (PLEASE NOTE: PLAYS ARE NOT LISTED IN RUNNING ORDER)


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