Urdu play to enthral visitors at Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

The 12-day long Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival starts on May 11 with scores of activities from reading sessions to workshops, interactive sittings with participating authors from different countries and other programmes but there will be one particular performance that will not be forgotten by many for a long time to come.

The Bazm-e-Urdu Dubai in association with Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, under the patronage of Sharjah Book Authority, will present a hilarious play ‘Akbar The Great Nahi Rahe’ (No More Akbar The Great). The play will be performed by the Peirrot Troupe from India at the Sharjah Expo Centre on Sunday (May 15) at 5.30pm.

The Urdu language loving community from India, Pakistan and other neighbouring countries residing in the UAE will love the play as the Indian troupe is already known for its highly anticipated performances among the community.

The satirical play will be a highly entertaining account of the famous Emperor Akbar The Great’s interaction with Ashoka The Great, Alexander The Great and an Indian statesman in heaven and his resultant journey to India after a gap of 450 years. The story and its satirical and humorous presentation is bound to take the audience on a non-stop roller-coaster laughter trip for 90 minutes.

The Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival will be held at Sharjah Expo from May 11 to 24. The 12-day festival will host scores of workshops to discuss various fields related to young children besides giving them the opportunity to meet and greet their favourite authors and enjoy the performances through various interactive shows.

There will be only one show of ‘Akbar The Great Nahi Rahe’ on May 15 and tickets are already available to purchase online for Dhs20, Dhs50 and Dhs100 in three categories while schoolchildren will get their tickets for Dhs20.

The play will also showcase the acting skills of the young heartthrob from Pakistan, Ahmed Shah, with his brother who will be visiting and performing in the UAE. Shah is famous for his performances on TV and other shows and has become a household name across Pakistan and online platforms. He will play the role of Emperor Akbar as a child.

Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), under the directives of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and his wife Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA), SCRF 2022 carries the theme ‘Create Creativity’.