Sol Abiad is a suitably theatrical name for the ebullient instructor who teaches drama at Sorbonne University. Lebanese-French Sol moved to the emirates in 1984 where she also founded STAR TOO Experimental Theatre Project in Dubai.
When you meet Sol you are enveloped by her creative energy: “My main interest is in the human story: human presence and human creativity that I believe is in every being no matter what they do in life. Imagination and the capacity for invention are phenomenal human qualities that enable us to make a difference in the world…for better rather than worse, I would like to believe. My job is to ensure the context in which creativity can flourish is safe, inviting, and inspiring. “
Star TOO is born
Sol’s idea initially was to start a first of its kind experimental theatre in the UAE that reflects the diverse culture and expatriate makeup of the country. Because of the financial downturn at the time she was setting up STAR TOO, Sol decided to implement a cost-cutting but still creative method of expression; she used foam sticks and plain cloth for multimedia productions where actors of different nationalities could compose their own narratives and each of the shows would address question. What started as a theatre workshop soon became a fully functioning theatre troupe.
“You could say that STAR TOO theatre was born not out of a need to fill in any gap, but rather to link the gaps, differences and all. To keep an educational angle to our project as well as highlight the existence of a talent pool, the group also invited practicing artists in the community.” says Sol. Since its establishment, Star TOO has hosted guest lecturers such as published authors, silk artists, dancers, architects, magicians, and others.
Two of the troupe’s main principles are maintaining the bond between the actors and thinking outside the box, qualities that are evident in their performances. Without traditional props or costuming, performers or dance gear, the group evolved into a highly physical theatre with a distinct style. “Since we are not limited by actual props, this means that we can construct anything. If an actor says she needs a boat for her scene, we shape that boat for her with our bodies, cloth and specially designed foam sticks. Our constructs are quasi-limitless.” she adds.
The troupe also integrates multimedia and digital arts into some of their performances by projecting scenes on the walls around the audience thus transporting them along with the actors to where the story takes place, whether it is in someone’s home, garden or even a train!
Forming a constellation
Beautifully incorporating drama art and dance into the performances, each of their shows asks a question. Indeed Star TOO’s first show was initially called “Where is home?” and each of the actors gave a definition of ‘home’. The show evolved, along with the questions, which became “What’s the time?” “Who did it?” “What art thou wearing?” and “Is it real?” Each show gives the audiences a new perspective to questions that otherwise seem ordinary by everyday standards.
Shine on
Star TOO is currently working on a production that will involve a lot of advanced stage-crafting and technical wizardry. “Our new piece is our most adventurous to date. It is based on Jules Verne’s lost novel: Paris in the Twentieth Century. We are working on a project that will involve a video-relayed interaction between actors in the UAE and overseas.”
STAR TOO is now also offering Applied Creative Thinking workshops to non-actors and will be touring their workshops to art spaces across Dubai to offer creative environments to artists and theatre enthusiasts in the country.
Sol plans to establish an identity for the theatre group overseas. “Along with actor-director Sarah Dufayard and dancer-choreographer Flora Diaz Hurtado, we are registering STAR TOO as an official association in Europe so we can carry on our activity there as well. It will probably be a long time before the arts group has the means to set up as a full-fledged company here.”
By Sanah Chauhan
