Bringing Shakespeare to Dubai: On Cultural Transfer of Shakespearean Drama, 2012–2020
Bringing Shakespeare to Dubai: On Cultural Transfer of Shakespearean Drama, 2012–2020

Summary/Abstract: No one doubts that Shakespeare is a unique, universal icon ingrained in the collective consciousness all over the globe; therefore, his presence in the Middle Eastern cultural perception should not come as a surprise. In fact, the Bard is one of the very few easily recognizable Western artists in this GCC region. In my article, I examine the problem of a specific transfer of Shakespearean drama to Dubai, and I put in question Bard’s total universality. To explain my thesis, I made an attempt to provide comprehensive characteristics of this young Muslim Emirate, which in less than fifty years of its existence has become an extremely successful, multicultural, and sociological experiment with more than two hundred coexisting nationalities. I concentrate on several cultural factors that affect the dramas’ relocation and how theatre managers/directors/artistic directors manage with that challenge. I review processes of possible adaptations conducted in order to satisfy prospective theatrical audience of multitude backgrounds and cultural requirements as well as expectations of this Islamic Emirate (including reasons for censorship). I aim to give a general picture of Dubai theatres, both mainstream show business stages together with as independent performing arts venues; I explain reasons for little presence of particular Shakespeare’s dramas, possible misinterpretations and justifications for oeuvre selection that was done in the certain period of time 2012–2020. To present the most comprehensive picture of Shakespeare’s drama relocation to Dubai, I was pleased to conduct multitude conversations with highly respected and esteemed people of culture and arts who represent honourable institutions of Dubai – Mr. Yasser Al Gargawi Director of Cultural Events in the Ministry of Culture &Knowledge Development, currently the Chairman of Dubai National Theatre, Mr. Joseph Fowler, Director of Dubai Opera, Arts & Culture for the World Exhibition - Expo 2020, and Mr. Gautam Goenka, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of The Junction (theatre).

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