Pantomime fever in Al Ain

A sensational performance by local theatre group

A huge congratulations to the cast of Hansel and Gretel who performed their full-scale community production to an eager audience at the Zayed Central Library auditorium. On the 12th of May, the young actors took to the stage to perform the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel (with a slightly modern twist) where the brother and sister are given away by their stepmother to the wicked witch in the woods but finally to be rescued by Goodelia, the good witch, a handsome prince and all their friends.

In true pantomime (panto) style, the cast of Hansel and Gretel treated the enthusiastic multicultural audience to everything you might expect in a panto production: plenty of audience interaction with the characters on stage, popular pop chart hits to sing along to, slapstick comedy and witty lines suitable for the whole family. Judging by the audience’s reaction, the performers kept everyone in the audience laughing and entertained for the full 60 minutes of the production.

This group of young performers from various schools in Al Ain came together, once a week for two terms to learn about character analysis, stage movement, comedy timing, choreography, voice training and much more under the direction of Louise Ryan at La Dolce Vita, Arts Learning Center in Al Ain. Louise Ryan hails from Cornwall in the United Kingdom and has lived in Abu Dhabi emirate for a number of years. After early choral, music theory and vocal training, she started her journey to become an opera singer. A successful concert and operatic soprano in her home country, she now enjoys performing to an international audience here in the UAE.

She has performed on numerous occasions with the UAE National Symphony Orchestra and Al Khubairat community choir in Abu Dhabi. Most recently Louise performed at the prestigious Dubai Opera House, where she delighted the audience with a breathtaking song composed by Emirati composer, Hamad Altaee.

When not preparing for concerts, her passion is to pass on all that she knows about the art of singing and drama, either individually or through group exposure to performing in public is instrumental in the development of young people, either to encourage public speaking skills or to instil a passion to perform in the theatre.

More about Louise, https://louise-ryan.com/about-louise-ryan

La Dolce Vita is a professional Arts Learning center that caters to everyone and their individual needs. With an eco-friendly and relaxing setting, La Dolce Vita presents the perfect place to take part in many activities on offer for children and adults. Regular classes at LDV include dance, yoga, ballet, music, and painting as well as a range of other classes and events being held at the venue. There is something for everyone, including the option of renting your own room to enable your passion to take flight. You can follow LDV on Instagram at:https://www.instagram.com/ladolcevitaalain/

CAST

Hansel - Zahra Lawrance Gretel - Clarissa Endley Mayoress Mumpy - Chloe Newman Prince Carl - Layla Lawrence Brawn - Thomas Slocombe Goodelia - Jood Al Ameemi Titch - Ereny Martinez Awad Badelia - Destiny Thor Pumper - Amin Hosni Knocker - Yasmeen Hosni

Cameo Roles

Widow Wood - Samantha Newman Cedric - Makenna Newman