Obliterated is a play that never was.
After publicising a free one-night only drama starring British actress Maxine Peake in June, UK-based writer and director Ahmed Masoud announced this morning that the sold-out play, set to take place at Amnesty International UK’s headquarters in London on Friday, August 9, was not only cancelled, it was never written.
The play was never going to happen: its promotion and then cancellation was a form of protest developed by Palestinian writer and director Ahmed Masoud. The entire endeavour was set-up to highlight the one-year anniversary of the destruction of the Saeed Al Mishal Cultural Centre – Gaza’s only theatre – after it was bombed by Israeli warplanes on August 9, 2018.
That feeling of wanting to see something that's not available to them is what I wanted to leave them with
Before the attack, Israeli forces fired shots at the building and sent out alerts to residents before proceeding to raze the auditorium, leaving at least 18 people wounded.
After this, Masoud, who grew up in Gaza before moving to the UK for postgraduate studies, sought to develop a response that would replicate, albeit on a smaller scale, the feeling of loss following the bombing.
“I thought of writing a play or a performance piece that would engage the audience, but then even the play itself would be performed for a night or two, or a week or a month, and [then] it would be gone.
"So I wanted something that would have a lasting impact. I wanted people to think that they’re going to see their favourite celebrity, but then they’re disappointed that they’re not. That feeling of wanting to see something that’s not available to them is what I wanted to leave them with,” he said.
The announcement of Obliterated's 'cancellation' was made via email to the 2,529 people who registered for tickets. "I am not sure whether I will be able to write or do theatre again. They took our theatre, and with it our play," Masoud states in his message.
The response from those who booked tickets ranges from 'angry' to 'incredible'
Since the announcement, he has received a number of responses from would-be audience members.
Some were supportive, “I have had incredible reactions from people, but also some of them are angry because they have booked train tickets and made arrangements to come and see the play. I think if you compared the anger of the audience in Gaza, the writers, directors, performers, neighbours and the entire community that only had one theatre, it is not comparable.”
To further drive his message, he has also produced a video with Peake and poet Farah Chamma, both of whom he has worked with previously.
In the short film, Chamma defiantly performs an Arabic poem written specifically for this initiative. “Why did you bomb the theatre? Because you are scoundrels and cowards, afraid of our songs and our art. So, listen to our voices every time you silence one of us,” she recites.
Peake then reads out lines written by Masoud to camera: “Our play is cancelled because art should not be targeted by soldiers or anyone else. In Gaza or anywhere else.”
“It’s almost like a virtual performance piece,” Masoud said. “It’s amazing to be able to have two great performers to convey this message to people.”
Art is destroyed by some because it 'reaches into the heart of people'
Though he didn't stage any of his own plays in the Gaza Cultural Centre’s theatre, he considered it a base from which to work with talent in the occupied territory. “Since [the bombing] happened, I haven’t had anything to do with artists there. It’s almost as if that bridge between us has been cut off. We had an anchor to rely on, but that’s gone.”
The acclaimed director, whose films and books have often addressed issues of the Israeli occupation of Palestine, asserts that the attack on the theatre is merely a continuation in a series of targeted strikes on Palestinian art and culture, citing the assassination of author Ghassan Kanafani and the assault on other cultural centres such as the Al Kasaba Theatre in the West Bank.
Asked why culture seems to pose such a threat, Masoud answered that: “Art is very important to people because it connects us to our humanity; it connects us to our culture. We are able to overcome challenges, barriers and checkpoints through the medium of art, theatre and poetry. Whoever is in the wrong or is committing injustice is always afraid of art, because art reaches into the heart of people.”
Results:
5pm: Maiden (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,200 metres
Winner: Jabalini, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Younis Kalbani (trainer)
5.30pm: UAE Arabian Derby (PA) | Prestige | Dh150,000 | 2,200m
Winner: Octave, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round 3 (PA) | Group 3 Dh300,000 | 2,200m
Winner: Harrab, Richard Mullen, Mohamed Ali
6.30pm: Emirates Championship (PA) | Group 1 | Dh1million | 2,200m
Winner: BF Mughader, Szczepan Mazur, Younis Al Kalbani
7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (TB) | Group 3 | Dh380,000 | 2,200m
Winner: GM Hopkins, Patrick Cosgrave, Jaber Ramadhan
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) | Conditions | Dh70,000 | 1,600m
Winner: AF La’Asae, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
Rocketman
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Starring: Taron Egerton, Richard Madden, Jamie Bell
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SPECS
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Profile of MoneyFellows
Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The%20Beekeeper
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MATCH INFO
Newcastle 2-2 Manchester City
Burnley 0-2 Crystal Palace
Chelsea 0-1 West Ham
Liverpool 2-1 Brighton
Tottenham 3-2 Bournemouth
Southampton v Watford (late)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RoboCop%3A%20Rogue%20City
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETeyon%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENacon%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%205%2C%20Xbox%20Series%20X%2FS%20and%20PC%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Pari
Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment
Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani
Three stars
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
Company%20profile
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Pathaan
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The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
