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See the show! Shakespeare mashup hitting Dubai

TWO PLAYS, OR not two plays, that is the question when it comes to Enter Macbeth!, which sees a double dose of Shakespeare's best works put in a blender in order to create a laugh-out-loud Halloween comedy. Taking place at The Junction, Alserkal from November 1-3, we spoke to Enter Macbeth! producer and actor in his own right, Asad Raza Khan to find out more.
Which plays (or which other play) feature in Enter Macbeth! and how is it putting on a show of this type as opposed to a straight one play, piece?
Enter Macbeth! is a farce and a comedy, which is ironically based on two of Shakespeare's most iconic tragedies - Hamlet and Macbeth. The story revolves around a group of actors who have been performing Hamlet for 400 years, however nothing is going to be 'normal' today. With the principal character missing and half the cast on the verge of revolt, they must take drastic measures to keep the script from being shelved and the set from going dark. With the cast grasping at straws to keep their numbers even, they soon resort to recruiting from other scripts in Shakespeare's First Folio, hoping that doing so will bring an end to all their problems. Little do they suspect what further doom awaits. An Arabic Macbeth, guest appearances by Voldemort and Darth Vader, and a whole lot of chaos make up this comedy.
Are you a Shakespeare fan? What do you think his work offers modern audiences?
I am a HUGE fan of Shakespeare. I believe he was the one who brought theatre to the masses. His work has a depth of tragedy, comedy, action, romance, and history as well. In the era of Snapchat and Instagram, I feel he is till very relevant. He can offer stories (albeit on a grand canvas), which are of normal people with normal lives. His work is so embedded already in us that we fail to realise it. Phrases like "wild goose chase", "seen better days", and "love is blind" are just examples of some which were originally written by The Bard and used daily.
How do you deal with first-night nerves?
If any actor says they do not get nervous every time they go on stage, then they are lying! Every actor has their own process of getting into character, and dealing with nerves. For me it is a three step process. Meditate - Disconnect - Reconnect. I spend about an hour doing breathing exercises, warm up exercises, and characterisation. This helps me forget the world and live the life of the character on stage.
What productions/ films or TV shows have you seen recently that stayed with you?
I recently visited New York and saw Hamilton for the second time. I can safely say that, for me, it is the best stage production I have ever seen. From the acting, to the music, to the direction, to the story - everything is a class apart! I really wish one day it is brought to Dubai.
What are your thoughts on Alserkal? Do you think it is bringing Dubai's creatives closer together?
Alserkal is a fantastic venue which is bringing not only the arts together, but also the artists. It is rapidly turning into a hub for creativity in Dubai. I believe the venue needs to be supported by people more and should be in every "New to Dubai" or "Love the arts" handbook. We need to push it and it has the potential to becoming a global attraction.
What advice would you give any budding Dubai actors?
One of the elements that has rapidly expanded over the last 10 years is the medium of expression for arts. At first there were limited channels and screens. However, due to social media, the potential is limitless. My advice to budding actors is practice the craft. Do it as much as you can - whether it be television, web, stage etc. Also respect the craft and learn it as much as you possibly can. There are no short cuts, but you can accelerate if you work harder for sure!
Enter Macbeth! will be performed from November 1-3 at The Junction Theatre in Alserkal Avenue. There will be evening shows at 7.30pm each day with a special matinee show on Saturday at 2.30pm. Tickets are available online at www.Platinumlist.net and are priced at Dhs100.
david@khaleejtimes.com