The Caracalla Dance and Theatre troupe recently held its biggest show to date in Dubai in association with Media City. The show, entitled 2001 Nights, was staged in the Dubai Media City.
Director Ivan Caracalla on the 2001 Nights show
The Caracalla Dance and Theatre troupe recently held its biggest show to date in Dubai in association with Media City. The show, entitled 2001 Nights, was staged in the Dubai Media City.
The extravanganza included the most talented actors, singers, dancers, composers and poets this part of the world has to offer. Rarely does one have the opportunity to watch a show which has something for all the family. Ivan Caracalla, the director of the show, spoke about the Caracalla concept and Dubai.
Karim Bassatne: How did it start?
Ivan Caracalla: The Caracalla dance theatre was founded in 1968 by Abdel-Halim Caracalla and has since had 12 productions. The latest production, 2001 Nights, was presented in Dubai first.
Why did you choose Dubai for the opening?
This show is inspired by Arabian Nights and made for Dubai as we had been given the opportunity to put on a production of this magnitude here.
Today Dubai is a reference point in the Arab world when it comes to culture, activities and tourism, and it has been incredibly helpful in providing all encouragement morally to put on this show to create a completely new theatre and stage for us. We have managed to create a city for a backdrop which is amazing.
What is the storyline?
The story, based on Arabian Nights 1001 Nights, is about the fight between good and evil and the morality of humans. In the production we have some major star singers led by Hoda Haddad and actors Antoine Kerbage and Elie Shoueir. There are 70 dancers and we have a crew of 150 backstage.
Is the show a musical?
This show is not just a musical and Arabic singing. It is also a ballet open to all who want to travel into the imagination world of the Arabian nights. Caracalla internationally is a dance style based on modern technique, but is unique with Middle Eastern fusion.
Was the music composed for the show?
Yes, we also adapted two pieces. When you think of Sheherazade and talk about 1001 Nights you immediately think of the Rynsky Korsakov piece which till today is used and adapted the world over. The Korsakov piece was adapted through oriental instrumentation and the same with Ravel’s Bolero.
The other music was specially composed by two well-known talents, one in Iran and Beirut. In Beirut, maestro Toufic Bacha helped develop the music into an Operatte, the writing of musical composition into theatre. The Iranian composer Hooshang Kamkar, a renowned musician, was able to bring out the old oriental instruments that we were looking for.
So the music is very Arabic.
Not only, because the sound of music for the Arabian Nights does not just cover the Middle East. You can hear the fusion of Indian and Iranian sounds as well.
The set is impressive…
The set was made in Milan to cater for this stage and was flown in. It was built for the Media City. The concept of the outer wall surrounding the stage and the 18-metre towers were built for the venue.
Tell me a little about yourself?
I studied in London and then the U.S. for theatre. Growing up I was hugely influenced by what was around.
What are your hobbies?
We have this thing at the opening night of a new production that we have to come up with a concept for the next production and we don’t sleep till we come up with a new idea. So no time for hobbies. This took about two years to run and we will start our world tour from September, London, Paris, Italy, all the Arab countries, the U.S., North Africa and the Far East.
Where have you performed?
We have played in the U.S. a few times usually after a three-four year gap, but we are getting bigger there. It’s not just Arabs, but theatregoers, lovers and critics who are interested. In fact, one of our greatest productions was played in the Kennedy Centre and was a complete sell-out.