Sharjah:All roads will lead to the panoramic, family-friendly Al Qasba starting 16 January as the curtain rises on the debut edition of Sharjah Fringe, the first-ever Fringe festival in the Middle East, boasting a rich and diverse selection of curated acts that were born on Fringe stages around the world. 

For over two weeks starting 16 January until 1 February, 2020, the scenic Al Qasba will turn into a vibrant family entertainment canvas showcasing the powers of escapism, laughter and the spoken word, through a diverse and exciting entertainment programme spanning the genres of theatre, comedy, circus, dance and children’s entertainment. 

Al Qasba will host 14 of the 35 reasonably priced ticketed productions and 30 outdoor street performances that are free and open to all members of the public. 

The eclectic array of shows, representing the very best of the global Fringe repertoire, will be hosted at two prime locations – Masrah Al Qasba Theatre, located on the second floor of Block B in Al Qasba, and an open air temporary stage set on the banks of the vibrant destination, next to Al Qasba Musical Fountain. 

Al Qasba gearing up to host a big theatrical feast   
Get ready for a healthy dose of giggles with Chores, a comedy-circus show from Australia, that is jam-packed with cool stunts, acrobatic flips, unicycles, juggling, and the infamous toilet paper guns! More laughs are in store with Children are Stinky, a high-calibre circus show with rocking soundtrack, daredevil stunts, incredible acrobatics, lightning-fast hula hoops, and loads of mischievous fun.

All the way from Spain, Grumpy Pants, is another hilarious show for the whole family where perfectly crafted juggling routines, physical comedy and fork throwing appeals right across the spectrum of ages.

With just a pile of discarded pieces of newspaper, Magnet Theatre's SH! engages its young audience in both the imaginary and in the realities of the world around us, while the non-verbal Triple Buse is set in a surreal world where its performers use boundless inventiveness, humour and circus magic to shine a light on a seemingly monotonous daily routine. 

Bubbles lovers have enough reasons to rejoice as Graham Maxwell, the Bubbleologist, fuses science and art together seamlessly for one hour in The Bubble Show where he puts tornadoes, cubes, people and fire inside bubbles! Pop the Bubbleman will shower you in bubbles of all sizes at his Fantabulous Bubble Show that includes smoke-filled bubbles, giant bubbles and even bubbles within bubbles.

Enter the fascinating landscape of Africa with The Great Pangolin Mystery, featuring a colourful cast of animals and highlighting a touching environmental and universal theme. African Signatures, on the other hand, is a lively dance show that traces ancient African footsteps through stories of the past merged with the present and the future.

Bulgarian dancers create a fantasy world in Silent Legends with projections and animation to tell the story about two wood-nymphs united in a common plot while the The King of Broken Things is an adventurous excursion into the rehabilitation of broken and discarded objects, hearts included, through an ingenious mix of old school theatre magic and modern technology.

The UAE’s favourite magician, Magic Phil, is appearing in Sharjah for the first time ever with two shows. The 30-minute Magic Phil in The Krazy Kitchen Show is an interactive, high-energy experience with lots of slapstick comedy, music, songs, and silliness while the one-hour Magic Phil in Trouble in the Willows is drawn from woodland animals in the folkloric ‘Wind in the Willows’.

Also from the UAE is Short+Sweet Sharjah, where the nation’s top writers, directors and actors present a collection of the world's best 10-minute plays featuring comedy, drama, and many more.

Charming locale of Al Qasba perfect backdrop for Sharjah Fringe   
Khuloud Salim Al Junaibi, General Manager of Al Qasba, commented, “The charming locale of Al Qasba is perfect to soak up the Fringe atmosphere as there are multiple areas here for families to relax and have fun. The venue also offers an incredible range of dining choices, which will be the perfect accompaniment to the shows.”
“The festival will engage with residents and visitors, support local businesses and encourage more visits to the various cultural and leisure destinations across the city,” she added.

How to book
Ticket prices for each of the above events range from AED 35 – 50. Special offers are available on some shows for children, students with a valid ID, and adults above the age of 60. Children, 2 years and below, do not require a ticket. 

A full listing of shows can be found on the festival’s official website: www.sharjahfringe.com.  Tickets can be purchased from box offices in Al Majaz Waterfront and Al Qasba that are open from 9am to 9pm (Saturday to Thursday) and from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday. 

For additional queries or to make a telephonic booking, please call +971 6 556 0777