Dubai: If you love musical theatre, head down to the Global Village where a grand production titled Silk Road – The Journey of a Unique Necklace is wowing visitors with the legendary Umayyad era (AD661-750) love story of Jubayr and Laila.
Set in Andalusia, the story begins when Jubayr meets Abu Laila, the Judge of Valencia, a musician and patron of the arts, who has two beautiful daughters, Laila and Salma. Jubayr falls in love with Laila and asks for her hand in marriage. Abu Laila challenges Jubair to bring the world’s most exceptional necklace as dowry if he wants to marry Laila.
The journey
Jubayr then sets out on the Silk Road, the ancient trade route, in the search the necklace. The journey takes him to Morocco, Egypt, the Levant, Iraq, India and China. Along the way, he meets the world’s best dancers, musicians and artists.
We are not revealing how the story ends but rest assured that the 30-minute Arabic play carries a message of love, sacrifice, toil and industry. It features opulent background vistas and scenes that depict the customs, dance and arts of numerous cultures of that period.
More than 25 artistes perform seven acts using costumes, media and instruments from various cultures to bring the story to life.
“The show has been cut short to 30 minutes from 80 to fit the Global Village format,” says director Nasser Ebrahim.
Syrian actor Ahmad Jouda, 27, who plays Jubayr, is thrilled about performing at the Global Village. “I love dancing and my favourite routine in the play is the one with Laila,” says Jouda.
Russian actor Yuliya Suprunova, 26, who plays Laila, says picking up the Arabic lines hasn’t been a problem for her. “I have been living here in the UAE for years and I have learnt to speak the language.”
However, 34-year-old Belarusian Valeria Kustinova, who plays a witch, says memorising her lines has been rather challenging. “I need to write the lines in my native script before I memorise them,” says Kustinova. One can watch the musical on the Main Cultural Stage every day except Friday until February 1. For timings, go to www.globalvillage.ae
