Cranleigh Abu Dhabi perform at The Red Theatre 25-26 October with a project that embraces music, drama, movement, design, and film with a cast of two professional opera singers accompanied by over 80 school children.
‘Water in the Desert: A Zayed Legacy’ is based on Sheikh Zayed’s vision for a green desert and his belief that water is the UAE’s most valuable resource.
The creative team and students worked tireless over many months to create a story which explores the responsibility of current and future generations to work together on conservation programmes that protect the UAE.
About the Students
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi students studying Dance, Drama, Music, Art and Design Technology, as well as those who are active members of performing and creative arts co-curricular programmes, were selected and invited to take part in the project.
As well as dancers from Brighton College Abu Dhabi and the British International School Abu Dhabi (BISAD) were invited to audition and join the production.
- Core company: 40 students aged 13+
- Primary element: Approximately 20 pupils aged 5 to 6 years
- Dance Company: 30 students aged 13+
- Designers: 10 students
Devising the Story
A long weekend of devising saw students work with the creative team to develop and evolve the storyline, music, choreography and design.
The students explored the fact that change and progress comes only from dedication, collaboration and hard work. Much of the power of this type of project comes from the fact that the young people craft the content. The ideas come from them and are then taken by the professional composer and librettist and finalised into a piece of contemporary opera.
Director Karen Gillingham had this to say after the devising process came to a close: “The extraordinary insight, passion and dynamism of the students has been incredibly inspiring. We feel privileged to work with them and are leaving full of fresh ideas that have come directly from them.”
The production also welcomed environmental expert, Tatiana Antonelli Abella, Founder & Managing Director of Goumbook, a leading Social Enterprise dedicated to raising awareness among the local community on sustainability and green living across the UAE and the Gulf region.
Goumbook works to promote positive environmental action through active participation in specific projects, campaigns and activities.
