Rehearsals

Rehearsals for Freej Folklore are progressing apace, with hundreds of performers including dancers and choreographers, animation specialists, sound and lighting engineers, producers and other technical team members all working together as the largest theatrical production ever in the Middle East gears up for its run at Dubai's Madinat Jumeirah Arena from the 8th-17th January 2009.

All cast in Dubai - rehearsals in full swing!

The entire cast and crew is in Dubai, we're rehearsing day and night. The dancers are still figuring out how to get in and out of their massive costumes! Tensions are running high - but we're all really excited and counting down till opening night. We move into the Madinat Arena tomorrow - but until then we've got this great gym space to work with.

This bearded Frenchman is Benjamin Monie from JBM - the co-producers of FREEJ FOLKLORE.

Al Yolla - UAE traditional dance

"Al Yolla"is the most popular battle scene dance in UAE culture. It's performed by a group of men using their sticks, swords or sometimes rifles. With rhythmic stepping to the beats of traditional musical instruments like the doumbek - which is made of ceramic and goatskin. It's used as a percussion instrument. Also the oud - a string instrument.

The Yolla dance gets performed at weddings and special occasions. The men form 2 or 4 rows, alternating their forward & backward steps to symbolize victory and defeat.

This is a rehearsal scene from the Yolla dance that's part of the FREEJ FOLKLORE show.