Theatre in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

In the Emirates the first theatre productions took place in schools, for example in the al-Qassimiyya school in Aš-Šāriqa. For Emirate schools and those teaching within them were to produce the actors and dramatists of latter years. Following the gaining of independence in 1971 the Ministry of Culture lavished financial support on the numerous theatre groups that were coming into being. In the 1980s there were already 14 histrionic troupes. The organisation of the Ash-Shariqa Theatre Days (Ayyām Aš-Šāriqa al-Masraḥiyya) is viewed as a breakthrough in the history of Emirate theatre, this had its beginnings in 1984. The aim of the festival was the development of theatre all over all of the Emirates, the promoting of the performing arts, the development of knowledge about the theatre and art amongst young people. The theatrical productions that were staged from the very beginning were connected with the social current of expression which diligently accompanied the economic changes. The dramas presented a society that was comprehended the aim of life and the status of individual family members. Dramatists in presenting concrete examples from the reality that surrounded them desire to inform one of, and to instruct society. For the discovery of oil changed and divided society, one that had hitherto lived from fishing and the trade in pearls. The young generation brought up in plenty is directed towards quick profits, comfort and a consumer style of life.