The cast of the play is currently based in London and the Emirate.
In light of the temporary closure of venues and performance theatres across the Emirate, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority held a performance of the Ashputtel play on the video-calling platform Zoom from July 16 to 18, 2020. The play was created in Dubai and supported by Dubai Culture.
Presented by the events company Bark At A Crow and production house, the interactive theatre event has a cast is currently based in London and the Emirate.
Ashputtel is a play based on the 1812 European fairy tale by The Brothers’ Grimm and is a story of a girl reduced to poverty and servitude by the manipulations of her new stepmother and stepsisters. Assisted by a mysterious half-bird, half-tree forest creature, she is able to break free, run to the palace, and attempt to win the heart of the prince.
Tickets for the 45-minute play was priced at AED 75 per Zoom code. This allowed any number of people living in the same household to watch and participate for the price of one ticket.
Liz Hadaway, Director of Ashputtel, said: “At a time when the theatre and performing arts sectors are facing challenging times, bringing the production to a digital platform will certainly prove to be an effective and fruitful exercise. We are thankful to Dubai Culture for their support as they are helping us widen the reach of the play and make it truly global. The live online interactive theatre experience promises to be immersive and a memorable one.”
In the interactive play, audiences will be asked to assist Ashputtel to complete her tasks, attend the party at the palace, and maybe get even with her stepsisters.
