Surrounded by magical boxes, fantasy academies, and letters that come alive through movement and color, the theater productions at Modhesh World take children on a series of experiences that go beyond entertainment. They also create space for learning, participation, and direct interaction with the performers, allowing young audiences to become part of the story rather than simply watch it unfold.
The shows rely on a combination of physical performance, sound and visual effects, songs, and moving sets to deliver content that captures children’s attention and keeps them involved from the beginning of the performance until the final scene.
The Modhesh World stage is presenting three productions: “The Magic Box,” “The Magic of Learning,” and “The Imagination Academy.” The shows are staged on weekends throughout Dubai Summer Surprises, giving children a recurring opportunity to enjoy both entertainment and learning while highlighting theater’s ability to connect with younger generations and enrich their imagination.
Executive director at Marwan Group Zain Zuhair took part in all three productions in different roles, combining acting, directing, choreography, and assistant directing.
Zuhair said: “The three shows were organized in cooperation between Marwan Group and DXB Live. In The Magic Box, I worked on directing and choreography. In The Magic of Learning, I handled the choreography and worked as assistant director, while in The Imagination Academy, I combined acting with assistant directing and choreography.”
He explained that the directorial vision behind “The Magic Box” was built around the box itself as the central element of the story, with the aim of encouraging children to use their imagination in a positive and meaningful way.
In “The Magic of Learning,” the story revolves around a magician’s hat. The magician repeatedly tries to pull a rabbit from it, but each time, a letter appears instead. These playful moments become an educational tool based on children’s participation and interaction.
In “The Imagination Academy,” young audiences are transported into a fantasy setting reminiscent of magical schools, where events unfold inside an academy that brings together adventure and learning.
Zuhair stressed that interaction is the common element linking the three productions because they are educational plays designed to encourage children to participate with the actors rather than remain passive viewers.
He believes that producing theater for children is more difficult than producing it for young adults, as the greatest challenge lies in keeping a child focused throughout the performance. It also requires the creators to look at the story from a child’s point of view and understand how children think, what interests them, and how they respond.
He also emphasized the importance of physical performance in theater, whether the production is intended for children or adults, noting that movement is not limited to dance but also plays a role in building characters and developing the story.
According to Zuhair, children’s theater depends heavily on movement and dance, alongside the use of sets and screens that transport audiences between different worlds and help maintain their attention until the end of the show.
Visual Effects
Meera Al Muhairi made her children’s theater directorial debut with “The Imagination Academy,” a production centered on a professor who works at an academy and meets two characters as events gradually escalate during the performance.
Speaking about the production, Al Muhairi said: “The play tells the story of a professor who works at an academy and meets two characters, with events escalating between them throughout the show. The production presents a journey of conflict between good and evil, through which children learn the meaning of cooperation and the importance of using imagination wisely to reduce evil.”
The production makes use of screens, lighting, and songs, along with a number of games that strengthen the connection between the audience and the actors onstage, creating a complete visual and physical experience for children.
Al Muhairi explained that preparations for the play took around two weeks, while the performance itself does not exceed 20 minutes. The length was designed to suit children’s attention spans and allow the story to move at a fast and varied pace.
She believes that speaking to children today depends greatly on visual effects because of their ability to attract attention and maintain focus.
The production also leans toward fantasy and education while avoiding direct instruction. Its messages are delivered through events, movement, and interactive moments instead.
With the use of recorded audio and a range of effects, the performance creates an atmosphere similar to animated productions that children already know and enjoy.
Al Muhairi expressed her happiness at taking on a directing role at Modhesh World, especially since her previous experience in theater had mainly been in writing, making this her first directing project.
She added that children’s theater comes with many challenges, most notably the need to combine entertainment with meaningful content while keeping young audiences engaged for the entire performance.
A Sense of Magic
Actor Abdulaziz Anwar appears in “The Magic Box,” playing the character of Uncle Box, who connects with children through imagination and surprise.
He explained that the character aims to create a sense of magic through the box, which carries children from one place to another and allows them to discover different worlds within the performance.
Anwar believes that theater gives children the chance to see what their imagination needs to experience in a live setting, especially since today’s children are highly intelligent and familiar with technology and a wide range of modern tools.
He noted that working in children’s theater gives actors significant room for interaction while also placing on them the responsibility of delivering clear and meaningful messages in a way that young audiences can enjoy.
He stressed that theater is still capable of attracting children through sound and visual effects, along with costumes and props that help present characters in a distinctive way and give actors greater freedom of movement onstage.
Direct interaction between the actors and the children also strengthens the impact of the production and gives young audience members the feeling that they are part of the story rather than simply watching it.
Young Talents
The productions also feature a number of talented children, including 12-year-old Layan Al Mahlawi, who appears in “The Magic Box.”
Speaking about the beginning of her acting journey, Layan said: “So far, I have taken part in more than 10 theater productions, as well as an Egyptian television series and a film. I entered the acting field after joining an acting workshop four years ago, where my talent was discovered. I also received support from my father.”
She expressed her happiness at performing onstage, saying that acting gives her great joy, which she always tries to share with the audience.
She also described the preparation period as enjoyable, especially because the production includes several dance and movement sequences.
Layan hopes to continue her acting career, particularly after appearing in the film “Once Upon a Time.” She also encourages children to attend theater performances and enjoy an experience that cannot be found in quite the same way anywhere else.
The participation of young talents in these productions reflects Modhesh World’s commitment to giving children opportunities to appear onstage and express their abilities, while also presenting family-friendly content that combines entertainment and education.
Through imagination, movement, visual effects, and direct participation, the three productions turn the theater into a space that brings together enjoyment, excitement, and meaningful messages, giving children a summer experience that helps develop their imagination and strengthen their connection with the arts.
