UNITED ARAB EMIATES TOUR 2010

Well, here we go again! This was Playtime Theatre Company’s second tour to the UAE and what a tour it was!

The tour got off to an inauspicious start when, upon arrival at customs at Abu Dhabi airport to pick up the props and scenery which had been flown out from the UK, we were told that no cargo WHATSOEVER was being released that day due to a security alert, which was widely reported all over the world the next day. Actually, it later emerged that the threat was at Dubai airport and not Abu Dhabi but that was of no consolation to us. At any rate, it was not good news, as it meant that we would have to pick up the props, clear customs and then drive back into the city ready for a 1pm. show the following day! However, a very understanding Headteacher at Al Muna Primary School was happy to re-schedule his performance and so the tour began! .

Our first two shows then became two outdoor performances. Nothing wrong there you might think but although a few weeks later in the calendar than last year’s tour to UAE, the weather was proving just as hot - most of the time the temperature being in the mid-thirties centigrade - so no time to acclimatize to running around in a thick furry wolf’s costume with head mask then! Luckily, the first show started very early – at 8am – before the sun had risen high in the sky and there was plenty of shade in the outdoor arena so we need not have worried; the second show, needless to say, proved somewhat hotter! But we survived!

The first week of the tour was spent touring in Abu Dhabi, which was a first for Playtime and the second in Dubai, returning to many of the schools that we had visited on our first tour. It was good to see a few familiar faces and very pleasing to hear the children recount our visit last year!

We certainly intend to return to UAE again next year, such was our reception and plans are also underway for a tour to Qatar and hopefully a return visit to Oman.

Sara Kettlewell. November 2010

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