Musical inspired by Shaikh Mohammed's poems to open in 2016

Brand Dubai, a subsidiary of the Government of Dubai Media Office, on Wednesday announced that Ghassan Saliba and popular Emirati singer Balqees Fathi will play the lead roles in the stage production of Al Faris (The Knight), a one-act play inspired by the poems of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Brand Dubai also announced that the play will open on January 4 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. It will run for four days till January 7, 2016. Al Faris is being produced by Brand Dubai in partnership with Rahbani Productions.
Written by renowned Lebanese theatrical director Marwan Rahbani, Al Faris depicts the epic horseback journey of a knight to rescue his lady love Shomoos from her kidnapper Ghairan. A richly allegorical fantasy play, Al Faris tells the story of a warrior’s determination to ensure his people are safe and prosperous in a world surrounded by violence and hatred.
Saliba will play the role of the knight while Fathi will play the role of Shumoos.
A Lebanese singer known for strong and warm voice, Saliba has one of the best vocal ranges among the new generation of singers not only in Lebanon but the entire Arab world. Emirati singing sensation Fathi is one of the Arab world’s most popular emerging talents. Named the Best Young Arab Talent of the Year by L’Officiel magazine in 2012, Fathi’s songs have the topped charts across the GCC.
Mona Al Marri, director-general of the Government of Dubai Media Office, said: “With their exceptional talent, Ghassan Saliba and Balqees Fathi are ideal choices for the lead roles. The Brand Dubai team is working together with many partners to present a stage production that will be a unique spectacle full of colour, music and dance. In terms of its technical excellence and creative ambition, Al Faris promises to be a landmark production in the history of Arab musical theatre. The team has paid significant attention to detail to ensure this is an outstanding stage show.”
Speaking about the themes of the play, Al Marri added: “Al Faris has been inspired by the profound philosophical ideas expressed in Shaikh Mohammed’s poems. His poems enrich the narrative of this unique play, whose universal messages will resonate with diverse audiences.”
According to Marwan Al Rahbani, president and CEO of Rahbani Productions, Al Faris is an allegorical play that explores the role of a leader in inspiring his people to realise their aspirations and dreams. “The play alludes to the need to strike a balance between tradition and heritage on the one side and modernity on the other. The themes of the play are especially relevant at a time when the Arab world is going through a challenging period in its history,” said Al Rahbani.
Dazzling special effects
“Al Faris will feature dazzling special effects and enchanting choreography. Ghassan Saliba and Balqees Fathi, two of the most talented singers in the Arab world, are a perfect fit for the lead roles.”
A fantasy musical, Al Faris provokes a deep philosophical contemplation on timeless values ranging from love and humanity to leadership, courage and wisdom. The play revolves around the perilous journey undertaken by a knight to rescue his lady love from her kidnapper. During his journey, the knight poetically muses on his deepest values, his aspirations for his people and the role of a leader. The knight’s musings reveal him to be a poet-warrior who deeply loves his people and is willing to fight all odds to secure peace and prosperity for his land while remaining true to his human values. The play is a fresh perspective on the classic conflict between good and evil; between human potential and human depravity.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com