Zayed and the Dream

Zayed and the Dream, the latest spectacular production from the Caracalla Dance Theatre, makes its American premiere at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater July 15 and 16, 2011. Marking the return of the company to DC since their critically-acclaimed production of Knights of the Moon in 2009, Zayed and the Dream follows the journey of seven horsemen as they travel through the sands of time in search of the destined one who will engrave his vision on the deserts of Arabia. Guiding him through the years, they impart to him each of their seven virtues: wisdom, courage, justice, faith, righteousness, honor, and patience; virtues from which his vision begins to evolve into a dream.

Starring 100 artists with participation of guest dance performers from China, Spain, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates, Zayed and the Dream was commissioned by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage. The ADACH is an institution that contributes to the strengthening of humanity and the appreciation of different cultures, playing a pioneering role in the Middle East by developing projects that encourage the sharing of traditions from around the globe.

Caracalla is an internationally-acclaimed dance company that has built their own dance language bridging the styles of the East and West. Embodying the cultural image of Lebanon and the Arab world, and working with companies and performers from across the globe, Caracalla is recognized as an arts leader in the Middle East and one of the leading dance theatre companies on the international stage. Sarah Kaufman of The Washington Post said, "If any local stage has ever sparkled and throbbed as the Opera House did at Saturday's performance by this entrancing Lebanese troupe, it's been a long, long while…Clearly it's good to be king of the musical theater world in the Middle East." Known for their lavish costumes, sparkling sets, and breathtaking choreography, Caracalla Dance Theatre has performed Zayed and the Dream in Abu Dhabi, Beirut, Paris, London, Dubai, and after their Kennedy Center performance, will be traveling to Beijing.

Zayed and the Dream will be at the Eisenhower Theater for just two performances on Friday, July 15 and Saturday, July 16 at 8 pm. The production will be performed with surtitles. Tickets prices start at $45 and are available for purchase at the Kennedy Center Box Office or by calling (202) 467-4600. Patrons living outside the Washington metropolitan area may dial toll free (800) 444-132 or visit www.kennedy-center.org.

Get ready to unhinge your jaw. Caracalla are back. Known for their lavish costumes, sparkling sets and breathtaking choreography, the national treasure and Lebanon's foremost dance company will return to the stage this February with 'Zayed and the Dream'. The production is so extravagant they have to build their own set, stage and dressing rooms at Forum de Beyrouth just to house it.

Always striving to be bigger and better, Caracalla begin work for each show entirely from scratch – no choreography is repeated or costume reworn. So where do they begin?

'It all starts with one idea,' says Ivan Caracalla. Son of founder Abdel Halim Caracalla – who started the company nearly 40 years ago – Ivan volunteered to take me backstage during the show's last minute preparations. Forget tantrums and tiaras, Caracalla are a well-oiled machine, whose workers are all striving for the same idea: to create the best show possible.

With a cast and crew of 158 (not including the falcons and the seven horses, trained by international horseman Ali Al Ameri), the sheer logistics of the production are mind-boggling. Ivan compares the production to a 100m sprint. 'The sprinter runs for eight or nine seconds, and the crowd goes crazy. But really he's been training every day, for four years, six years...'

This particular sprinter however receives no support from the government, shocking considering Caracalla's cultural impact, not only on Lebanon but the entire Middle East.

It's ADACH (the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage) who've given Caracalla both the funds and inspiration for 'Zayed and the Dream'. Ivan continually praises their support. Instead of writing a blank cheque, the group offered patronage to create the show, based on the life of Sheikh Zayed, the founder and leader of the Emirates.

'The world loves productions of Othello or Macbeth or Death of a Salesman – big, strong characters – but this is a character which has lived in our time. Two or three hundred years down the line, he's going to be one of those big names that we study.'

Ivan and his father began research for the show 'in the desert', speaking to the Sheikh's friends and family. Yaser al Masri - who plays the part of Zayed - also went through extensive training to walk, talk and sit like the leader. Accompanied 24/7 by Bedouins who knew Zayed personally, Al Masri was instructed in everything from how to say hello to how to drink his tea. Every night, he'll undergo 'four to five hours of prosthetics', courtesy of Caracalla's seven-strong make-up team, especially recruited from Iran.

Zayed & The Dream
Time Out Beirut
February 2010