Drama in reel life

A HUMOROUS script, a dedicated team of young artists and a dream of reaching for the stars are some of the ingredients that could help launch Bahrain on to the international youth drama stage.

Dina Shaheen, who has lived on the island for 35 years, wants to focus the spotlight on the kingdom with an English language creative drama television series for children.

Dina said: "My hope is that I will get support to make the series. People would get to see it is a good idea. We don't have any such English TV drama for children produced in the region."

While she has approached a few international channels, a firm settlement is still unconfirmed.

Founder of the Children's House Montessori Nursery School in Budaiya, Dina, introduced a screen acting workshop for children seven years ago and has been hosting them since.

In 2004, London-based writer Nick Prier came to the workshop and produced a script for the Low Show - a comedy telling the story of a television show, its audience and what goes on around it.

Over the last few summers it has been used for the Children's House workshop productions but this year Dina felt the time was right to start filming the show in the hope of turning it into a television series.

The cast is a melting pot with 14 students aged from 10 to 18 who, over the summer have had the chance to learn all aspects of film making and television production.

Dina said: "I have been thinking for a long time that the play is really good and that it must get on television.

"It is amazing how well the young people have learned their lines quickly and have been up on their feet from 10am till 5pm.

"The idea is to take this motivation and to show people the children's true talents."

A major part of the production is being done in Bahrain with the help of two professional performing art specialists who had been flown in from London, screen director Nick Phillips and cameraman Bernie Hagley.

Nick has been a youth and community worker for over 25 years and has been a qualified specialist in teaching video production and drama to young people and adults for the past eight years.

He said: "The children have responded very well and I am really pleased."

Dina said: "Film is a powerful medium. The children get a chance to learn but it has to be coupled with somebody who knows how to connect with young people and it requires a lot of patience, experience and knowledge.

"Nick's background in working with community youth groups - with their high energy, was a key factor in doing this kind of project."

Bernie has over 30 years experience as a performer in the entertainment business.

He said: "Teaching this group in particular has been good because of the wide age group.

"When you get down to working with kids for a drama you realise there are such a lot of things that you haven't thought about.

"Children tend to get side-tracked which is a thing you don't want happening ... you need to get everyone back on track and get them focused.

"The simplest of things such as continuity has to be noted for instance shoes or a tie need to be the same and not be of two different colours for the same situation.

"We are here for a restricted amount of time and we cannot afford to do a scene over and over again and also we are a small team.

"However, it was a learning experience for everybody and it's been really enjoyable."

The drama workshop has given the children a chance to get hands on experience working with film production.

Dina said: "One thing we learn in filming is that it takes a lot of stamina and patience. You need to go over and over again until you perfect it ... unlike stage work where you are made to memorise and deliver.

"It's got some really heavy life messages and comedy is the best way to do it. And, it's also fun.

"All the people in The Low Show are archetypes - you can find such characteristics in individuals anywhere."

Final production and editing will take place in the UK and the pilot film will have a Bahrain showing in November and Dina plans to send it to television channels and production companies internationally in the hope that it will be taken up and can be made into a series.

Movie enthusiast and assistant to the production team, Hassan Abulla Mahmood, 23, from Mahooz, got some welcome training by taking part.

He said: "I am here because I had been wanting to pursue a career in film-making for a while but there weren't any viable options.

"When I found out about the workshop I took up the chance.

"Watching from back stage, I have learned quite a bit."

Dina feels there is a lack of support for film making in the island saying: "It isn't that there is no interest here, it's just that there is no source to promote it further. I have had adults call up and ask me if they could be a part of the play and I had to say no.

"Bahrain needs to get more schools and training centres to encourage young talents by providing them with guidance."

Hassan agreed saying: "Creativity is going to disappear and people may begin to look for other career options ... or they will just leave the place. It's a creative brain-drain rather than academic."

Will Page, 14, a student of The British School of Bahrain who plays the lead role, said: "I do GCSE drama. I plan to take drama and acting at university and would like to do more workshops."

Fellow actor Nial Burns, 15, a student of The Talent School said: "My old dream was to be an engineer but my mind is slowly turning towards acting. I know I am not the best at it now but I can get better with practice."

The cast of the show also includes Sarah Ali Al Zeera, 15, Majid Shaheen, 14, Hannah Yahya, 12, Reem Ramadan, 14, Sebastian Greenwood, 12, Charles Andrews,13, Oliver Greenwood, 10 and Eman Ali Shaheen, 18.