Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Centre (SMC), has honoured the cast of the musical play "The Shadows", which was staged at Al Majaz Amphitheatre in Sharjah last week. The honouring ceremony took place at the Al Majaz Amphitheatre, a subsidiary of the Sharjah Media Centre, with Osama Samra, Director of Sharjah Media Centre and a number of officials in attendance.
The play is written by accomplished Lebanese journalist Nadine Al Assad, with music by Bahraini composer Khalid El Sheikh and featuring Lebanese director Munjid Al Sharif. The musical has an accomplished Arabic cast led by Syrian Arab Idol star, Hazem Sherif, Lebanese artist Carole Aoun and the internationally acclaimed Syrian, Inana Group.
During the ceremony, Sheikh Sultan thanked organisers of the play and highlighted the role Sharjah plays in enhancing the cultural landscape. He said, "Sharjah is becoming a beacon for knowledge, culture and art, thanks to the vision of HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. By hosting this spectacular production, Sharjah is consolidating its presence on the global cultural map." The show featured a combination of poetry and songs leading with a poem about Sharjah recited by Nadine Al Assad, and then sung by Carol Aoun and Hazem Sherif, who were joined by 30 performers dressed in traditional Islamic costume.
Sheikh Sultan added, "We are pleased to have hosted this theatrical play which captures the cultural heritage and prestige of musical theatre. The production was an endorsement of the emirate's internationally acclaimed cultural position and its humanitarian message. "The Shadows" was a harmonious arrangement of poetry, song and stage drama in one magnificent show, adding yet another feather to Sharjah's cap of landmark achievements and adding to its rich cultural landscape. It central message of love and peace is the embodiment of what Sharjah stands for and I am delighted to bestow honours on it today." During the ceremony composer Khalid El Sheikh surprised the audience by making an appearance after a long absence from the stage. He performed a number of his songs accompanied by the Oud and was later joined by Hazem Sherif. Preparations to complete the musical took four months and the songs and poems were recorded in four cities, Cairo, Beirut, London and Dubai. A total of 60 performers participated in stage production, while more than 150 professionals participated in the theatrical work.