VIDEO: UAE's theatre scene infused with new energy

Short+Sweet Sharjah is where the nation’s top writers, directors and actors present a collection of the world’s best 10-minute plays featuring comedy, drama, and many more.

With no play allowed to exceed ten minutes theatre lovers get to enjoy a variety of plays with different moods and messages in just one evening.

The presentations range from a romantic comedy with an unexpected twist, a tragic tale about terrorism to a humorous take on dealing with death and a contemplation on the meaning and purpose of life.

This year, one weekend has been dedicated to non-English plays with performances in Russian, French, Urdu, Arabic, Malayalam and other languages reflecting the cultural diversity of the UAE.

Short+Sweet Theatre began in Sydney, Australia, in 2002 and has since spread to other cities in Australia and around the world. It came to Dubai in 2013 and has grown from a two-week event to seven weeks this year, making it the second largest ten-minute theatre festival in the world after Sydney.

The Junction also hosts Short+Sweet festivals for poetry, music and stand-up comedy and will soon launch one for film.

Thanks to the event’s simple and inclusive format, it has infused the UAE’s theatre scene with new energy and played an important role in the development of the local theatre community.

There is no entry fee and everybody who is interested is welcome to submit a script, direct a play, audition for an acting role or volunteer backstage.

The plays are easy and inexpensive to produce because they require minimal sets, costumes and props, and the short format encourages even those with no experience to take the leap.

The event is competitive with the audience and a panel of judges voting for the best performances of each weekend that go on to the semi-finals and the red carpet gala final.

A scene from Never Give Up Starring: Rik Aby (Todd Sparks) Kholoud Abdallah (Nina Davenport) at Short+Sweet Theatre 2020.

Kholoud Abdallah is not just accomplished Comedian but also an actress, and President of Basharia Toastmasters International.

She is also a published writer,  as well as an educator.

Rik starred as the antagonist Captain James Folk in “Saaho” starring Bollywood superstar Prabhas.

In March of 2019 history was made when, Rik would later be top billed in the first Hollywood film shot entirely in the UAE, Directed by Die Hard 2 Director, Renny Harlin, starring Pierce Brosnan, Tim Roth and Nick Cannon, in his first Supporting Role in a Hollywood film.