60 March 2014 www.bahrainthismonth.com happeningskidsteens When? March 19 | Event? Peter Pan | Venue? British School of Bahrain This classic tale of mischief, friendship, love and courage is told by a talented cast of young actors from the Kingdom in a mega stage production. Preparations have been going on since October 2013 for what promises to be a truly spectacular performance of JM Barrie’s musical adventure Peter Pan. Taking you on a trip to Neverland is MASK, or the Music and Stage for Kids theatre company, part of the Academy of Performing Arts at the British School of Bahrain (BSB). The production has been licensed by special arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, and features a cast of around 100 children, teens and adults. The show promises a multitude of thrills, with aerial stunts, special effects and a talented cast. Two separate leading casts take part due to the demands of the roles. The lead role is played by Raith Hamzah of Bahrain Bayan School who in the past portrayed Mufasa and Simba in The Circle of Life and Riff in Bernstein’s West Side Story last year. Acting alongside him as Wendy is an extraordinarily gifted young dancer Cameron Icelli from St Christopher’s School, who has recently discovered that her talents also extend to singing and acting. “Our other dramatic duo features two rising stars from the British School of Bahrain, Ali Adenwala (Peter Pan) and Deema Turkomani (Wendy). Coming to MASK’s stage for the first time as an actor is bassoonist and Academy of Performing Arts music teacher Szabolcs Nigo as Captain Hook,” says Lydia Martin, director of performing arts at BSB. “We have a cast of 25 lost boys — and girls — plus a cast of 12 young braves who are accompanied by real live student drummers! It has been an extremely challenging show to put on as it features a number of different cast groupings including Hook’s tyrannical pirate crew who will have you falling off your seat with laughter at their ridiculous tirades, and cheering for more when they sing in harmonies akin to the King’s Singers! In an attempt to create a real pirate crew, both schoolboys and adults have been cast. Behind the scenes The cast are supported by a female chorus comprising adults and students who enhance the overall sound, and in charge of choreography is BSB’s dance teacher Louise Chapman. A professional special effects company from the United States called ZFX has come in to enable the required ‘flying’, training the cast and crew in the choreography and operation. This production of Peter Pan doesn’t have Tinkerbell portrayed by a play of light. To indicate the fairy presence the role is alternatively played by academy’s dancing stars, Lucy Baker and Camille Freschi. The show opens on Wednesday, March 19, at BSB, Hamala, and will run on Thursday and Friday as well. Tickets are BD8 and BD5 for general admission with BD12 and BD8 for premium admission. E Call 17 610-972. Believe, or Forever Cease to Fly! Here’s a chance to be part of the adventures of Tintin in this brilliant cinematic adaptation of the book by Steven Spielberg. The story sees the intrepid reporter Tintin and Captain Haddock set off on a treasure hunt for a sunken ship sailed by Haddock’s ancestor. With impeccable special effects, animation and excellent story telling, the film has been an international hit. You can watch it at Alliance Française on March 19; the show is a great for the kids but adults will be in for a good time, too. The film starts at 5pm and tickets are priced at BD2. Aboard with Tintin
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