Friday, March 29, 2024 | Ramadan 18, 1445 H
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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

The world is a stage... and we all are actors!

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Lakshmi Kothaneth -


lakshmiobserver@gmail.com -


Jaques in Act II Scene VII says, “All the world’s a stage”. It is the phrase that begins a monologue from William Shakespeare’s As You Like It.


The quote is often used and it even has a philosophical touch. This is the first quote that comes to mind as countries celebrate World Theatre Day on March 27. World Theatre Day was coined in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI). The world is a stage and we are all players. But in reality we cannot have a monologue, it has to be a dialogue. Many times we think we are having a dialogue, but quite often we are not listening or even participating.


Think about theatre and you are thinking of sets, smell of makeup, costumes, curtains and light that has a special glow as it transforms the audience to another plain. For the next few minutes to hours the group of actors transform you to another world — a world that has been set by the author of the play and measured by the director. The actors portray the characters living through those emotions on stage. To reach there they have gone through auditioning, training and rehearsals.


In real life though you cannot have all that luxury. Lines are not written for you. There is a plot indeed but no one knows how it is going to shape. We cannot ask the director to bring in a few changes. The realistic drama we are part of on a daily basis gives us a lot of choices however. We are our own directors. Do we choose to be directors and take responsibility or do we just be victims of circumstances?


My exposure to theatre was accompanying my grandparents to plays. Assisting my mother in her theatre productions as well as watching her write, direct and act. Actors are special because they are dedicated group of people. There might be times when I ask myself what is the purpose of all and in few minutes and it is the strength of the medium.


Long, long ago even in the historical times theatre has had its place. They communicate and convey a message to the society. What is interesting is that world over there was some kind of form of theatre. Actors can never be ordinary people. It must be difficult to be on the spotlight and then switchover to a normal existence and then be back under the spotlight. Imagine memorising all those lines.


In Oman the theatre has been alive and what is interesting is the youth continue to carry on with interest. However theatre needs much more from the society than it is giving now. Maybe it needs a steady focus where there are series of stages provided. May be there is a need for theatre seasons. The 70s, 80s and 90s were definitely for the theatre groups even though television was sweeping away the audience. Most of the theatre artists also made their move to the field of television.


Actors who according to me have been contributing to the theatre scene in Oman are Fakhria Khamis and Amina al Zedjali as well as many others.


Another person whom I have seen dedicated to theatre and acting is Salima Raza. All throughout the years in Oman she continued her passion for theatre and acting. She has continued with zest in India as well and March 2017 has seen her enter the world of Hindi films with the latest movie Philauri.


Salima Raza has been a very popular voice in Radio Oman with a variety of radio shows but it is acting it seems that has been the professional companion. Her natural gift such as her voice and acting along with singing abilities have created a special niche for her.


Yet another person who has impressed me with her passion for the love of theatre is Judith Razek. It is enchanting to hear her narrate stories on Radio Oman but it is her directorial skills that have seen remarkable productions through Muscat Amateur Theatre. The Muscat Amateur Theatre’s first production was in 1981 and since then until now the group has performed more than 50 plays. Their latest production has been directed by Judith Razek. Speaking to her on the World Theatre day this is what she had to say, “We are very fortunate in Muscat to have the Royal Opera House Muscat, which provides us with some of the best culture the world has to offer. Still we hope there is a place for local theatre.”


So here is to the future and may there be more stages for artists to continue their art form.


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