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Impresario Dina Shaheen is out to rob the wealthy and share their loot with the poor and needy … all in the name of children’s theatre, of course.
For the popular producer will be bringing Robin Hood to Bahrain later this year as part of her latest stage venture.
And the evil Sheriff is not her target … it’s a little box that’s sits in the living room.
“My fight is against the TV,” she said. “As parents and adults we are not taking enough responsibility.
“The computer and TV screen stops children from doing anything constructive. And as parents we get our children to vegetate in front of these monitors. We must listen to our children and give them means to express themselves and help them channelise their energies.”
Dina, from Janabiya, is a quiet, reserved mother-of-four … but has a very strong opinion when it comes to the welfare of children.
She is not new to Bahrain, having come here first in 1976. Born half-British and half-Zanzibari-Omani, Dina grew up in Brighton in the south coast of England and came on holiday to Bahrain where her police detective father was posted.
Marriage to Ali Shaheen in 1989 brought her finally over to stay. She began the first Montessori school, Children’s House, in the kingdom 10 years ago and dabbles in her passion for theatre and reiki and does voluntary work for abused children.
Dina’s encounter with theatre happened by chance when Nick Pryor, artistic director of the UK’s Titch Theatre Company, was cold-calling schools in Bahrain interested in putting on shows.
That was seven years ago and she has never looked back since. Every year she organises theatre workshops for children in her studio in Janabiya which typically end with a performance for parents, friends, neighbours and theatre lovers.
As her four children – Eman (17), Ahmed (15), Majid (13) and Mariam (11) – grew up, she became acutely aware of what they were missing and she admitted she felt, “culturally empty.”
Dina organised the first theatre workshop in the summer of 2001 and said the response and “enthusiasm” from children and parents encouraged her to keep her going.
What does theatre do to children?
She believes it boosts self-esteem, gives them confidence to express their point of view and encourages individuals to work as a team. The workshops are physically strenuous and also help teach the children to be articulate and improve presentation skills.
Pulling a theatre workshop together is never easy and needless to say you need resources. Dina, in fact, has been providing accommodation to visiting actors at her home. Friends help and workshop fees are used to cover publicity material, cost of flights and professional fees.
This year Dina has scheduled theatre for children to watch, drama workshops and plays for young people to take part in.
A Titch Theatrical Company schools’ tour of The History Mystery, an interactive play for seven to 12-year-olds will bring historical people and periods of time to life.
There will also be an interactive play entitled Yucky Gunk for five to 10-year-olds that carries an environmental message. Children’s plays including Robin Hood and Putting on a Play – in which the participants help devise and perform, are also on the agenda.
l Readers who would like to support the venture and want their children to experience theatre can email Dina at ashaheen@batelco .com.bh or call her on 3946 4354.
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By Anasuya Kesavan
anasuyak7@gmail.com
