Season Brochure Feb - Jun 2015 by The Courtyard Playhouse

Tel: 050 9861 761 / T h e C o u r t ya r d P l ay h o u s e @C o u r t _ P l ay h o u s e

to our third Season Brochure! It’s been another exciting few months with lots of new welcome developments. We’re thrilled to announce partnerships with the National Theatre Live and the MET

Opera Live HD which brings the very best of international music and theatre to Dubai audiences. We’ve been forging ahead with renovations to create the most beautiful, immersive theatre experience. A rich red auditorium carpet with stair lighting awaits you, and most exciting of all... a new sprung, raised stage with electrical points, enabling us to welcome dancers and musicians to perform and making the audience’s line of sight even better! We have a busy season lined up, with regular improv’ and comedy nights returning every Wednesday. We’re creating a unique night of theatre on Valentine’s weekend, and hosting some incredible British theatre from NT Live including Tom Stoppard’s new play ‘The Hard Problem’. We’ve also launched a brand new seven-week improv’ workshop for adults, also in Hindi language, and offer improv’ classes for teens, as well as LAMDA courses for kids of all ages. This season we’re laying the foundations for strong links between our theatre and schools in the region, providing diverse, rich and fulfilling artistic experiences for students. Our comprehensive schools programme shows our commitment to building a theatre community from the roots-up. We invite you to come, bring your friends and share some genuine belly-laughs with us this season! From The Playhouse Team: Kemsley, Tiffany, Kylie, Nirosh, Richard and Louisa

NT LIVE SCREENINGS

VALENTINE’S SHOW

IMPROV FOR TEENS

MET OPERA SCREENINGS

wednesday night comedy

IMPROV’ WORKSHOPS

GRASSROOTS REVUE

LAMDA CLASSES FOR KIDS

18 THEATRESPORTS

INTER-SCHOOL

wednesday night comedy

ACTING WORKSHOPS

Membership Benefits

National theatre Live SCREENINGS

Frankenstein

Of Mice and Men

Thu 29, Fri 30 & Sat 31 Jan 8pm -11pm

Thu 5, Fri 6 & Sat 7 Mar 8pm - 11pm

ENTRANCE - 100 AED MEMBERS - 80 AED

Nick Dear’s adaptation of the novel by Mary Shelley, directed by Danny Boyle and starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Ages 18+ only.

James Franco and Chris O’Dowd star in the hit Broadway production, directed by Anna Shapiro.

RSVP ONLINE AT WWW.COURTYARDPLAYHOUSE.COM/SHOWS

Treasure Island

Skylight

Thu 2 & Fri 3 Apr 8pm - 11pm

Thu 7 & Fri 8 May 8pm - 11pm

ENTRANCE - 100 AED MEMBERS - 80 AED

Robert Louis Stevenson’s story of murder, money and mutiny is brought to life in a thrilling new stage adaptation by Bryony Lavery.

Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan feature in David Hare’s sociopolitical drama, directed by Stephen Daldry. Ages 18+ only.

The Hard Problem Thu 1 & Fri 12 Jun 8pm - 11pm ENTRANCE - 100 AED MEMBERS - 80 AED

A new play by Tom Stoppard, directed by Nicholas Hytner - this show celebrates the meeting of two of the brightest minds in British theatre. Ages 15+ only. *For school bookings please contact kylie@courtyardplayhouse.com

MET opera hd Live SCREENINGS

MACBETH - Verdi

CARMEN - Bizet

Fri 6 Feb 7pm - 11pm

Fri 13 Mar 7pm - 11pm

ENTRANCE -100 AED MEMBERS - 80 AED

ENTRANCE - 100 AED MEMBERS - 80 AED

Star soprano Anna Netrebko delivers her searing portrayal of Lady Macbeth, the mad and murderous mate of Željko Lučić’s doomed Macbeth, for the first time at the Met.

Richard Eyre’s mesmerizing production of Bizet’s steamy melodrama returns with mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili singing her signature role of the ill-fated gypsy temptress.

RSVP ONLINE AT WWW.COURTYARDPLAYHOUSE.COM/SHOWS

Le Nozze di Figaro

THE MERRY WIDOW

Fri 10 Apr 7pm -11pm

Fri 1 May 7pm -11pm

ENTRANCE -100 AED MEMBERS - 80 AED

ENTRANCE - 100 AED MEMBERS -80 AED

- Mozart

James Levine conducts a spirited new production of Mozart’s masterpiece, directed by Richard Eyre who sets the action of this classic comedy in an 18th-century manor house in Seville during the 1930s.

- Lehár

The great Renée Fleming stars as the beguiling femme fatale who captivates all Paris in Lehár’s enchanting operetta, seen in a new staging by Broadway virtuoso director and choreographer Susan Stroman.

Il Barbiere di Siviglia - Rossini dates - Fri 19 Jun 7pm -11pm ENTRANCE -100 AED MEMBERS - 80 AED

Featuring some of the most instantly recognisable melodies in all of opera. Starring Isabel Leonard as the feisty Rosina, Lawrence Brownlee as her conspiring flame, and Christopher Maltman as the endlessly resourceful and charming barber. Michele Mariotti conducts the vivid and tuneful score.

wednesday night comedy

MAestrotm

Theatresportstm

Wed 4 , 11, 18 Mar Wed 1, 8, 15 Apr 8pm - 10pm

Heat 1 Wed 6 may Heat 2 Wed 13 may Heat 3 Wed 20 may Final Sat 23 may 8pm - 10pm

ENTRANCE -50 AED MEMBERS - 35 AED

Ten of Dubai’s virtuoso actors converge for a night of scenes, songs and games based on audience suggestions. You, the audience, score the players – when only one remains they are crowned ‘The Maestro’!

ENTRANCE -50 AED MEMBERS - 35 AED

A thrilling battle between the best improvisers in the region. Watch as they pit their acting skills against one another in a bid to win the coveted Theatresports trophy.

speechlessTM - Improvised Powerpoint Show Wed 25 Feb, Wed 29 Apr 8pm - 10pm ENTRANCE -50 AED MEMBERS - 35 AED

Speechless shows off Dubai’s silly side by letting presenters live out their worst nightmare: giving a presentation with absolutely no preparation. Speechless puts entertainers, entrepreneurs, and audience members on the spot with nothing more than a stage, a microphone and a PowerPoint deck full of surprising images that they’ve never seen.

RSVP ONLINE AT WWW.COURTYARDPLAYHOUSE.COM/SHOWS

King Gong

grassroots comedy

Wed 4 Feb, Wed 25 Mar 8pm - 10pm

Wed 18 Feb, Wed 22 Apr 8pm - 10pm

ENTRANCE -50 AED MEMBERS - 35 AED

Join us at the Playhouse for the fiercest night of stand up comedy you will ever witness! Local comics attempt to defy the gong as you, the audience decide their fate. The survivor wins the ‘King Gong’ title... until the next time!

A selection of Dubai’s up-andcoming stand-up comedians feature in an evening of laughs with their hilarious takes on life, love, living in Dubai and everything inbetween.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

an interactive DEVELOPMENT experience strengthen and MOTIVATE your team

CONFIDENCE LEADERSHIP CREATIVITY FUN INNOVATION communicationTEAMWORK TRUST PUBLIC SPEAKING LATERAL THINKING

improv’ SHOW

Valentine my funny

‘If music be the food of love, then improv’ comedy must be the very air that lovers do breathe.’ - William Shakespeare*

The courtyard players present:

MY FUNNY VALENTINE Thu 12, Fri 13 & Sat 14 Feb 8pm on Thu and Fri, 7pm and 9pm on Sat ENTRANCE -100 AED MEMBERS - 80 AED

COURT

A dimly lit room…the piano music twinkling gently as soft laughter fills the air…there’s no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than a night at the theatre.

visi YARD t PLAY HOUSE to boo .COM k yo /SHO ur s WS eats

Join us at the Courtyard Playhouse for a night of romance, laughter and love, as our improvisers entertain you with scenes and songs based on audience suggestions. They might even act out your own love story! *Or something like that.

Venue Hire

Looking for a new and characterful location for your company training, team development, product launches or group gatherings? The Courtyard Playhouse is available to hire for theatrical productions and creative projects as well as corporate events with a difference.

LOCATION

We’re nestled in the creative heart of Dubai, amongst the galleries and cafes of Al Quoz. You can find us conveniently located just off Sheikh Zayed Roadd, around the corner from Times Square Centre, next door to Lime Tree Cafe and opposite Bounce.

Please contact Kylie at  050 986 1761 or kylie@courtyardplayhouse.com

Seasonal revue RSVP ONLINE AT WWW.COURTYARDPLAYHOUSE.COM/SHOWS

The courtyard playhouse presents:

grassroots Revue Fri 5 & Sat 6 Jun 8pm - 10pm ENTRANCE -100 AED MEMBERS - 80 AED

To conclude our season, we select the very best locally based artists, who are producing original content, and invite them to perform on our stage in an evening of pathos and laughs. Featuring sketch, stand-up comedy, theatre, improv’, poetry and music this is a night not to be missed.

workshops

improv’ Truth in comedy Spring course - SAT 14 Feb - 4 apr @ 12PM - 2PM summer course - SAT 13 Apr - 23 May @ 1PM - 3PM NOw In hindi! - fri 13 Feb - 4 apr @ 3PM - 5PM

Basic Package -1 500 AED MEMBERS - 1 300 AED If you’ve never tried improv’ before, come along to ‘Truth in Comedy’, an improvisation course especially designed for beginners. Have fun, meet new people and learn to improvise in The Courtyard Playhouse’s low-pressure classes. You don’t need any previous stage experience – this seven-week course is designed for anyone who wants to loosen up and be spontaneous; learn to take risks, on stage and in life! Each week you’ll play games and explore a variety of improv’ exercises that unleash your natural creativity and humour. The course culminates in a showcase performance for family and friends.

Level 2

improv’ for storytellers - mon 13 Apr - 23 May @ 7:30PM - 9:30PM*

* visit our website for full intermediate and advanced level course info REGISTER ONLINE AT WWW.COURTYARDPLAYHOUSE.COM/CLASSES

workshops

acting The desert monologues Spring course - 7 Feb - 14 mar @ SAT 3PM - 5 PM OR SUN 7:30PM - 9:30PM Summer course - 2 May - 13 Jun @ SAT 3PM - 5 PM OR SUN 7:30PM - 9:30PM Basic Package -1 800 AED MEMBERS - 1 600 AED

Running for seven years in Dubai, and now taking place in our own purpose-built space, The Desert Monologues is a doorway into a whole new, creative side of Dubai you don’t want to miss out on! This course will take participants through a variety of drama-based activities and culminates in monologue performances at The Courtyard Playhouse. It is a diverse course that is designed to be challenging and fun. It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned professional or an absolute beginner, if you want to act in a professional theatre and work with like-minded, talented individuals then this is the course for you.

workshops

Theatresports Teens improv’ workshop for teenagers class 1

SAT 18 apr - 23 apr @ 11aM - 1PM

class 2

fri 17 Apr - 23 May @ 11aM - 1PM

Basic Package -1 200 AED MEMBERS - 1 000 AED

This introductory improvisation course for teenagers is a fast paced, exciting class that aims to give participants a solid grounding in the different contemporary styles of improv’ that dominate the writing, acting and comedy world today.

REGISTER AT WWW Improv’, as popularised by the TV show ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’, ignitesONLINE spontaneity, develops lateral thinking, encourages team work and releases the potential artist in us all. Theatresports is team-based competitive improvisation. Theatresports is fun. Each week you’ll play games and explore a challenging variety of improv exercises that unleash your natural creativity and humour. The course will culminate in a showcase performance for family and friends.

workshops

KIDSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; LAMDA SPEECH AND DRAMA CLASSES LAMDA Examinations for kids Term 3:

12 apr - 21 Jun

ACT 1 Ages 5 - 7

Drama classes for younger children are designed to take them on exciting adventures, where theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re free to explore the wonderful world of drama.

ACT 2 Ages 8 - 11

Pupils are encouraged to explore a wide range of drama, poetry, prose, performance techniques and drama games. They will develop using various techniques and learn to express themselves through their bodies and language.

W.COURTYARDPLAYHOUSE.COM/CLASSES ACT 3 Ages 12 - 16

Classes provide our young performers a platform where they can explore and communicate creative ideas, thoughts and feelings in a wide range of dramatic languages. Our young performers are introduced to numerous acting techniques in order to create believable performances and interpretation.

13 To REGISTER contact helena@courtyardplayhouse.com

Corporate Role-Play Professionals The Courtyard Playhouse provides experienced, professional role-players for business training, assessments and seminars.

Our role-players: • • • •

Have extensive knowledge of a wide range of industries Are trained to give high quality and constructive feedback Work to a brief or undertake bespoke roleplay sessions Will always tailor the approach to match your training needs

Call us on 050 986 1761 to discuss your training needs

“Nothing I’ve ever been a part of, in 16 years of teaching, touches kids like I’ve seen improv do. It gives them so much confidence to just be themselves, to be a part of something where social status, marks, family life, gender, race, religion, does not matter. All that truly matters is the team and the joy it brings to their lives. For me, there is nothing better to be a part of. “ JOEDY EBERT, GRIMSBY HIGH SCHOOL, WATERLOO, ONTARIO

The 2015 InterSchools Theatresports™ Tournament Inter-Schools theatresportstm Theatresports is team-based competitive improvisation. Theatresports is fun. It improves communication and listening skills and encourages teenagers to work together, building their own self-confidence and awareness within a team environment. On May 23rd 2015, teams of performers from schools across the UAE will converge and take part in the region’s first annual Theatresports tournament. Prior to the tournament, the teams will be coached by an experienced Courtyard Playhouse company member in a series of workshops either during school hours or as a part of your schools ASA programme. When students hit the stage on the night, they will compete against their peers in a fun and friendly contest judged and scored by theatre professionals. The event will conclude with awards and recognitions.

To register your school contact kemsley@courtyardplayhouse.com

support us - sponsorship SPONSORSHIP

business is to reach, inspire and excite audiences about the power and passion of live performers based in the UAE. We aim to develop their skills and give them a platform in a warm, creative environment. Your staff, clients and customers visit our theatre for unique experiences which are best delivered by the arts. Our

As a Corporate Sponsor you can tap into the buzz and excitement of our theatre to create innovative opportunities which will help you reach new customers, enhance your local reputation and grow your enterprise. We will work with you to create a bespoke package of benefits to suit your business needs, match your customer profile and reach your longterm strategic goals.

Contact Tiffany at 055 967 3927

support us - MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP The Courtyard Playhouse would not be where we are today without the support of the theatre-loving community in the UAE. Become a member and help us to continue to bring you the best of Dubai’s grassroots talent. individual membership: 250 AED p/a • Discounted workshops • Discounted entrance for shows • A Playhouse T-Shirt, mug and pen • Invitations to social events CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP: 3, 500 AED p/a • Logo on corporate members wall • Discounted entrance for shows • Discounted workshops and training • Show your support for arts in Dubai • Networking events at the Playhouse

courtyardplayhouse.com

Courtyard Playhouse Events and Entertainment

Planning your next event? Whether it’s an annual meeting, client appreciation event, awards ceremony or staff party, we have unique and exciting entertainment options for your company. From scripting a short play relevant to your company to a night of interactive improvised entertainment or internal talent competition, The Courtyard Playhouse will work closely with you to make your event a smash hit.

‘Your skill and passion for your work was visible and played out beautifully throughout the event.’ - Ines Albert, HR Manager, Al Nabooda Automobiles

Staff Talent Show

Scripted Plays

Private Parties

Event Host / MC

Murder Mystery

Improv’ Shows

A very special Thank You to our print partners, Spectrum

digital print solutions

Tel: +971 4 3620566 WWW.SPECTRUMDUBAI.COM | INFO@SPECTRUMDUBAI.COM

“Everyone is raving about the program. They thoroughly enjoyed it.” “The best training I have ever participated in”

- Mari-Ann Kucharek, ATIC

- Luis Vargas, Dealer Development Manager, AVME