THE GROOVY UV ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY – SUMMER IN ABU DHABI

Simon Corlett outside the theatre

By Simon Corlett September 2008

“Summer in Abu Dhabi” is a new project fulfilling a vital role in the introduction, development and expansion of new ideas within the United Arab Emirates capital.

Encompassing a range of physical theatre skills (including a healthy variety of circus performers plus freestylers, break-dancers, BMX stunt cyclists, football control experts and an excellent musical theatre troupe) for us to be invited to take part in the launch this year of such a monumental event (which the local papers later reported to have been ‘the best thing ever staged at Abu Dhabi’) and for us to represent the field of puppetry was both a challenge and an immense thrill.

We have worked abroad before of course, but never in such an innovative and challenging environment, bringing artists and workers from across the globe together in one place and with one aim – to enrich the city, the people and its visitors with new experiences and new ideas.

The production work on this event was breathtaking. Major exhibits (the robot zoo, the science of spying, a story-telling tree etc.) and activity games (a huge adventure playground, wall climbing, laser maze etc.) were set alongside the live entertainment within two great halls of the National Exhibition Centre with such attention to detail that the experience of simply passing through was exhilarating. There was even an indoor fairground with rides and stalls.

As a Blacklight UV Theatre company using large rod and body puppets, it is essential that we have a spacious stage with full blackout facilities. “No problem” we were told. And they were right. When we arrived and saw ‘The Groovy UV Theatre’ they had constructed specially for us, we could hardly believe our eyes.

I’m sure as fellow puppeteers most of you have experienced turning up to a venue only to discover that it is totally unsuitable for your needs. As we specialize in Ultra-Violet performance our requirements are even more restrictive than most in terms of the venues in which we can perform. How refreshing to be asked half way across the world to perform in a venue built so far beyond our personal specifications! And yet it seems that in the UAE anything is possible and nothing is too much trouble. The whole interior of our theatre was made to be entirely black, with UV cannons fitted high up in the far rear corners illuminating every inch of internal space. What a dream.

We were asked to provide 20-minute shows (to be repeated throughout the day, daily form the end of June to the end of August) aimed at young children. We chose the topic of “The Circus” as we knew that the ‘real’ circus would be a focal point in the event. Plus, that theme lends itself to such diverse opportunities – we incorporated madcap comedy, singing and dancing, illusion, stunts and ‘feats of derring-do’. In my personal favourite show to date, we had a stilt-walking monkey, a crackpot Ringmaster, magic, illusion and a baby fired from a canon.

What a joy to perform at the inauguration of this wonderful annual event - and what an honour and a privilege to be asked to take the art of UV puppetry to a new and unsuspecting audience. They couldn’t believe their eyes. One man asked if we used CGI (computer generated images) to create the show!
It was great, too, to see the marvelous ‘Oly Puppet – Suitcase Extravaganza’ who I saw here for the first time. New Zealand born puppeteer Oliver Smart had the crowds squealing with delight at his enchanting object manipulation skills, and rightly so. He is now based in Bristol, so I hope that we will keep in touch and no doubt run into one another again at some point in the future.

This contract was a lot of hard work –six shows a day on weekdays, seven at weekends, every day for 2 months continuous. Nevertheless, this was an amazing event to take part in and my fellow puppeteers Holly Larcombe, Andy Watson and myself are so very pleased and relieved that the organizers decided to include puppetry in the range of skills on show.
The Arabic Muslim community and varied tourists alike embraced us wholeheartedly. This was certainly one experience that we will never forget!

Groovy UV on Desert Safari