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Students to draw 'Circle of Life' in musical

DUBAI - After the runaway success of Cats, Starlight Express, Ms Wiz, Oliver, Heroes, A Carnival Tale, Smike, and Saturday Night Fever, Kevin J. Oliver is once again set to take Dubai by storm with his new musical production 'Circle of Life' produced for The Modern High School (TMHS), Dubai.

Published: Sun 18 Apr 2004, 12:22 PM

Updated: Tue 14 Nov 2023, 2:22 PM

  • By
  • Meraj Rizvi

The musical based on Disney's Lion King featuring over 200 students and teachers of TMHS, will be held in the school auditorium from April 25 to 29 with morning shows exclusively reserved for school children, while the daily evening show priced at Dh25 per ticket will be open to parents and guests.

Speaking to Khaleej Times yesterday, Mr Oliver who recently joined as the Group Cultural Coordinator of the GEMS Schools, said 'Circle of Life' has been adapted from the musical Lion King because he felt that the story when reconstructed by him bore great similarity to Simba's life which completes a full circle from Simba as a little boy growing up fighting his return to Pride Rock and reclaiming the throne from Scar.

"I have taken the nicer elements of Lion King," he said, pointing out the musical play has both acting sections and songs with students and teachers jointly getting an opportunity to show up their talents. At least 40 students and teachers will be part of the production on stage, while the remaining team will be part of the choir churning out beautiful numbers from singers such as Elton John from the Broadway version.

"It has been a great experience working with students who have tremendous talent and potential to deliver just what is required of a good musical production," he said.

The audience, he said, will be in for a treat because Dubai basically is starved for a good musical production.

The director-choreographer, who personally conducted the auditioning of each student of the school to select the best for the show, said it has taken him over a month and half to put the show together. All the props, stage, costumes, puppets, etc have been made in-house by the students and the TMHS staff who have gone all out in defining a look for the show, Mr Oliver disclosed.

Darryl Bloud, Principal of TMHS and responsible for Mr Oliver's return to the UAE after a brief stint in Canada, said his return in 2002 for Saturday Night Fever earned rave reviews and sparked off a 1970s disco revival among the youth.

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The forthcoming production is the biggest ever to be produced by the school at an estimated cost of around Dh100,000 featuring professional sets, sound, lighting and choreography.

According to Mr Bloud, each year the school puts up its in-house musical production alternating between senior and junior school. "But, this is a very special show since it is the first time our teachers are also involved in the production, acting and singing along with the students."

"The school believes in providing holistic education to its students, with equal emphasis on academics and extracurricular activities. Such events help in bringing out the best among the students and develop confidence and leadership skills. Most of our students involved in such events have made a mark for themselves, both in school and in their universities and colleges after graduation," he said, disclosing that this year around 200 young leaders are in the making with such a mammoth production.

The show is by invitation for school students in the morning, while the evening show starting daily at 8pm will be open to families of the students as well as general public for a ticket. We expect around 500 people daily, Mr Bloud disclosed.

He said that the money generated from all the shows will be donated to three local charities - Al Noor Centre for Children with Special Needs, Rashid Paediatric Centre, and Red Crescent Society.



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