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In a bid to immerse themselves in the joys of theatre and drama, school students from Russia and Dubai came together with their peers in Bahrain to celebrate a three-day International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA) festival.
Organised by host St Christopher's School, 60 students collaborated, experimented and explored various ideas of presenting three ensemble pieces on the epic of Gilgamesh, an historical king of Uruk in Babylonia, who is supposed to have travelled to the lost land of Dilmun in the hope of finding a plant that would bring his friend back from the dead.
Head of drama, Antony Thomas said that the festival offered the chance of cultural exchange and dialogue as well as allowing the students, aged between 10 and 17, the chance to present their ideas and experience theatre both as performers and members of the audience.
He added: "It is about both meeting and working with young people from different cultures and having a rich and focussed learning experience.
"This has been an incredible time for all of us ... really amazing to see all these young people who are strangers to one another produce work of such calibre and quality.
"There has been some fantastic sharing of skills and creativity, commitment and discipline. And the individual and collective journeys that went to creating these pieces of work have been absolutely amazing."
A first time participant, Prianka Sabharawal, 13, a Year Nine student at the Dubai English Speaking College, said: "I learned how to be myself in the crowd and get involved in different activities. Basically, I liked the whole idea of playing characters."
Lucy Pemberton, 12, Year Seven student at St Christopher's School, said: "It's been amazing ... you get to meet so many people and you can learn so much. We all worked together and did something unbelievable - like nothing else! Gilgamesh is a good subject to be working on and I am glad I did it."
Deputy head, Olga Yakovleva of Alexander Pushkin School in Perm, Russia, said: "I am very glad to be here. Drama helps children with communication skills.
"My students worked in English despite it being their second language. These events have helped in understanding the importance of knowing another language. My students enjoyed the preparation for their final presentations and working together as a whole group."
The Ensemble pieces were led by theatre practitioners based in the UK - Clark Crystal, Louise Clark and Neil Farrelly. The participants also had workshops on belly dancing with Iman Fouad, a teacher at World Beat Fitness Centre in Bahrain.
