The Dream Players, the UAE’s foremost community talent show provided a creative platform for six exciting young female singers who fought it out for the crown of Dream Player. The competition held in November at Al Wahda Mall before a 1000 strong audience, ended with Mallory de Man, from Holland, claiming the title after giving two beautiful singing performances that blew the competition out of the water. Tempo was there to cover the popular event that unveils fresh talent from around town.
THE WINNER
Mallory de Man, a 16 year old student from the Al Yasmina School in Abu Dhabi, had the judges and the audience enthralled with her powerful voice. For round one she moved the listeners with her heart-wrenching rendition of Christina Perri’s ‘Jar of Hearts’ and then mixed it up with a snappy, attitude filled performance of ‘Funny Honey’ from Chicago. Mallory clinched the title of November’s “Dream Player”.
The Dream Players executive producer, Sana Bagersh said: “This was one of the most fiercely contested competitions we ever staged. We all welcomed the level of talent and the considerable level of commitment and energy that each contestant displayed. We’re finding that The Dream Players is attracting gifted singers and talented performers from all over the nation, and we hope that the experience of the participants on this platform will help shape them professionally.”
Mallory was ecstatic about her win: “Performing as part of The Dream Players is definitely an experience I’ll never forget. The judges feedback was great and I’ll definitely think about what they said next time I perform. I think the comment I was the happiest with was ‘we’ll see you on Broadway someday.’ My insides did a little turn and jump as my dream has always been to perform on Broadway. The whole event was great as it’s the only of its kind and I’ve been looking to take part in a talent singing competition for a while. It’s an experience that has helped me see what it’s like in the competing world of performing arts.
The whole event was very nerve racking because I’m not very good with competitions. The night before the event we had a sound check so I got a look at my competitors and it scared me to death. The competition was so strong and could all sing so beautifully. I was so nervous for my first song, I was standing on stage shaking and nearly dropped the microphone but for my second song I felt a lot more confident as I knew it was my stronger performance. I sang ‘Funny Honey’ from Chicago which is the play we’re doing at the moment in the drama department at Al Yasmina and I am completely in love with it and have been singing it for months.
“When they got us all on stage to call out the names of the winner I definitely didn’t think I had won so it was such a surprise when they called out my name. I’m so happy with my prizes and my first ever trophy! It was great taking part in the Dream Players and for anyone who has a talent and would like to show it off I advise you to sign up, you never know, maybe you’ll be the next Dream Player,” said Mallory.
Kritika Kadekodi, one of the other contestants, said: “The night was a memorable one. It was an extremely well organized event; everyone from the organizers to the judges was very professional. The judges in particular were tremendously helpful and encouraging. My fellow contestants were very friendly and we all got along smoothly.”
THE DREAM PLAYERS’ THANKS TO THE SHOW’S SPONSORS:
“Sincere and grateful thanks to community partner Al Wahda Mall; media partner Tempo and event organiser BrandMoxie. The Dream Players would also like to thank Bloomsbury Cupcakes and for Gold’s Gym for coming on board with a fantastic prize for the winner.
The Dream Players thank the judges who were full of praise and constructive criticism. Henry Bennett (Singer and Artistic Director of the Al Dar Academies); Terry Borden, (Director and Owner of SoundME) and Nicola Warwick (Lead Singer of The International Playboys).”
Photo credits: Angeli Castillo and Simone Carvalho
By Sharon Carvalho
