The cream of Indian theatre and cinema is coming to Dubai for a unique drama festival hosted by one of the subcontinent’s biggest stage-production houses – Prithvi Theatre.
The Mumbai-based company – founded by theatre and Bollywood pioneer Prithviraj Kapoor in 1944 and relaunched by his sons in 1978 – will showcase a selection of plays that have stood the test of time.
Prithvi@Dubai – which runs from April 27 until May 1 at Ductac, Mall of the Emirates – kicks off with veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah and his wife, Bollywood actress Ratna Pathak Shah, starring in Dear Liar. Written by 19th-century Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, the play dramatises the writer's romance, as revealed in love letters written over the course of 40 years.
On April 28, critically acclaimed actress Sonali Kulkarni, accompanied by Milind Pathak, will perform While Lily and Knight Rider, a black comedy that explores the evolving relationship between couples in urban India.
Nothing Like Lear, a spoof of Shakespeare's King Lear, will be staged on April 29. Director by actor and theatre director Rajat Kapur, the 80-minute play will feature Bollywood actor Vinay Pathak in a variety of roles – from clown to father.
Also on the programme is The Glass Menagerie, with Prithvi Theatre stalwarts Shernaz Patel and Jim Shurab taking on the lead roles in this modern-day adaptation of the classic Tennessee Williams tragedy.
The festival ends on May 1 with a play based on Indian social activist and poet Shaukat Azmi's memoirs Kaifi Aur Main, presented by Indian National Award-winning theatre veteran Shabana Azmi and lyricist Javed Akhtar – a recipient of the Padma Bhushan – India's third-highest civilian honour. The poet's words will be set to the violin and tabla.
• April 28 to May 1 at Ductac – Mall of the Emirates, Dubai. Tickets for each show start from Dh125 at www.ductac.org. Sessions with the actors and directors will be held after each performance
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Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
The Kites
Romain Gary
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Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
RESULT
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 3
Chelsea: Willian (40'), Batshuayi (42', 49')
Race card for Super Saturday
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dh918,125) (Dirt) 1,900m.
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m.
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m.
TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
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