Dubai: During the day, some of them are lawyers, some are human resource managers, others doctors, engineers, finance managers, businessmen, students and pilots even. But, post working hours, this group of about 400 odd people bound by a common passion for theatre get together to put up their next act.
The amateur theatre group, Backstage, has grown from 20 members to a 400-member strong group in a span of about two years.
Members differ widely not only in their job profiles, but also in their nationalities and age groups. Aged between 6 and 60 years, members belong to 20 different nationalities.
'Culturally enriching'
But the shared passion for art and theatre has helped them overcome the differences, making it a culturally enriching experience, members said.
Backstage began in 2009 when a bunch of amateur actors decided to set up a troupe of their own with the aim of showcasing talents of local theatre artists and raising the profile of performing arts in the UAE.
The non-profit theatre group uses the money collected as ticket fares to cover the expenses of the show, and gives away the remaining to charity organisations.
Lots of thrill
Backstage members are now busy gearing up for their next stage performance based on the world famous murder mystery penned by Agatha Christie — And Then There Were None.
One of the founding members and current President, Gautam Goenka is the director of the play. "Lots of thrill and lots of guessing games is what we promise the audience," he said. "It is a dark intriguing murder mystery of ten strangers who are invited to a remote island off the English coast. One by one, each guest mysteriously dies.
"With the survivors caught unaware of the murderer and who will be the next victim, the play keeps the audience tripped up and guessing till end," he said.
"It's an absolute race against time."
The team is very excited about the performance, for which they have worked for the past five months, he added.
Having staged 12 plays thus far, members of the troupe have gathered a wide range of theatrical experience from acting to directing, Goenka said.
He has been involved in theatre since 2002 as an actor and director, and has been part of several theatre groups in Dubai, London and The Hague.
The theatre scene in Dubai has evolved much over the years, he said. "Back in 2002, theatre was very dormant and practically non existent. But now, as the city has grown there are a number of groups performing out here."
The troupe's first major production, Yasmina Reza's Art was held in December 2010 at the Jamjar gallery in Dubai. Art was a Tony award winning comedy and was critically acclaimed by the media for the entertainment and the excellent performances of the actors.
What: Play based on Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None
When: May 5 at 7 pm; May 6 and May 7 at 2.30 pm and 7 pm.
Where: Ductac auditorium, Mall of the Emirates.
Tickets: Ductac box office.
Details: Call 050 7386605 or write to backstage.dubai@gmail.com
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