Known for bringing large-scale immersive experiences to some of Dubai's biggest physical spaces, theatre director Liz Hadaway once held a performance of The Great Gatsby across three decks of the QE2, under her company Bark at a Crow. She presented Romeo and Juliet on the roof of Mall of the Emirates. Then the restrictions on movement introduced because of the pandemic threw her a massive curve ball.
“I stalled for the first two weeks, but it presented an opportunity to do something different. I was forced to think more theatrically,” Hadaway says.
Helped by technical production partner MXB Studios, the result was a live-streamed performance of Ashputtel, the Grimms' Fairy Tales version of Cinderella. The ticketed event was broadcast to a global audience, from the UAE to Canada, to the US, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and India.
The digital set allowed professional actors from London to join the cast. The performance was also interactive, with audience members invited to communicate with each other and assist characters or choose props. The show was touted by The Guardian in July as one of the "hottest front-room seats".
“It came off better than expected,” Hadaway says. “It has opened up myriad possibilities and allowed us to reach people who were stuck at home or sick. It’s something I will continue to do and now that we have done it once, it will be easier to replicate.”
Scrambling to make sense of a new order where face-to-face contact comes with a health warning, businesses across the board have been forced to think outside the box, creating online initiatives that may well outlast the pandemic.
When Dubai Sports Council halted all contact sports as health measures were put in place, companies such as Infinite Sports UAE lost the use of 54 facilities across its academies. Parents who had paid in advance were offered free online sessions for their children during terms two and three, replacement sessions for term one this month, plus new resources such as webinars, sports quizzes and even online gymnastics birthday parties.
“We became more innovative and active on social media and created lots of community videos,” says Gareth Mordey, chief executive of Infinite Sports UAE. “The situation forced our coaches to become more dynamic. We ran 603 hours of live online sessions with 5,404 children taking part. We hosted 27 free webinars involving big sporting names that were open to the wider community.”
In some instances, the pandemic has acted as a catalyst for completely new business concepts. Toilet training is a topic that will make most parents grimace, but because of the pandemic, the UAE is home to its first licensed potty trainer. Former nursery principal and qualified nanny Lisa Sherrington-Boyd is the “Potty Queen”.
Last year she received a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis – a rare form of spinal arthritis – and underwent surgery and immune suppression therapy. So when Covid-19 hit, she immediately had to start working from home.
"I found that the lack of contact with families made me feel quite low," she says. "Years of teaching children in nursery taught me many tips and hacks and I started sharing these online. Then I started getting referrals."
Using everything from bubbles to teddy bears, over Zoom and WhatsApp, Sherrington-Boyd has helped 42 families to "house train" their children, and has since been invited to host a live chat show on radio station Pearl FM.
Online bra-fitting also became a thing during stay-at-home orders, thanks to TKD Lingerie. Operating in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, owner Kate Kikano launched her business online shortly before Covid-19 hit and both stores closed. Customers were invited to share photos on WhatsApp with TKD bra-fitters, and orders were delivered straight to their door.
Alternatively, a bra-fitter or a driver could deliver lingerie to the customer to try on at home, as a car waited outside. Whatever did not fit was sent back. What Kikano is most proud of is that she not only retained every staff member in lockdown, she also gained new customers.
With a 70 per cent drop in business in March, licensed photographer Nithya Rajkumar was forced to radically rethink her business model.
Flexible services also mean I reach a wider audience and I can work from home, which is great as I'm a mother
She specialises in lifestyle portraits, live events and family shoots, but having to self-isolate prompted her to launch a mix of online and discounted contactless services, such as personal branding and product photography, outdoor photo sessions, online training for photography enthusiasts of all ages, live mentoring and mindfulness photography workshops. These new offerings helped Rajkumar to bounce back.
"I now use a lens with a larger focal length to facilitate social distancing. Every online activity has generated positive feedback and an increase in enquiries," she says. "Flexible services also mean I reach a wider audience and I can work from home, which is great as I'm a mother."
Six months on, things that may have seemed impossible to replicate online have become part of our new normal. More Than Birth Doula Collective and Belly Baby Mum UAE are providing hypnobirthing classes online and live support for expectant couples and labouring mums.
The world has changed irrevocably, but a host of small businesses have proved that the most adaptable and enterprising will survive.
Malcolm & Marie
Directed by: Sam Levinson
Starring: John David Washington and Zendaya
Three stars
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
THE BIO
Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.
She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.
Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring the natural world.
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RACE CARD
4.30pm: Maiden Dh80,000 1,400m
5pm: Conditions Dh80,000 1,400m
5.30pm: Liwa Oasis Group 3 Dh300,000 1,400m
6pm: The President’s Cup Listed Dh380,000 1,400m
6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown Group 2 Dh300,000 2,200m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (30-60) Dh80,000 1,600m
7.30pm: Handicap (40-70) Dh80,000 1,600m.
Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Revibe%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hamza%20Iraqui%20and%20Abdessamad%20Ben%20Zakour%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Refurbished%20electronics%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410m%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%2C%20Resonance%20and%20various%20others%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
