West Side Story

Regular Frenchamfamily blogwatchers will know that Sarah has been performing on stage since we lived in Houston.  Some may recall that last year Sarah performed in the Dubai production of Hairspray (link), and this year the production is the dramatic musical West Side Story (link).  As in 2010, the main four characters are established performers from the UK / US, and the remainder are from Dubai, mostly from local drama schools.  Sarah tried out and after call-backs was selected as an understudy for the role of Anybodys, as well as a member of the broader cast.  However once rehersals commenced she was promoted to the role of Anybodys on the unavailability of the originally selected member.

The writer of this blog may be biased in his opinion of the show and one particular actor, however the link below is from the UAE newspaper The National review of the opening night and includes Sarah's first ever press review:

http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/on-stage/review-west-side-story

A wonderfully performed show, albeit with its shakesperean tragic ending.  GReat job Sarah.

End of School Year

June is the end of the school year for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, and it certainly was a busy and fulfilling time for Sarah and Alexander.  Both had a lot of end of year concerts, presentations, and events to go to and participate in.  A proud time for their parents to enjoy their progress and their efforts.

Alexander finished Grade 5 and will be off to High School in September!  The end of Grade 5 involved a conference-style exhibition and a performance, with the central theme of "Trade Links".  Alexander was one of three MCs for the performance and also helped to design the Trade Links t-shirt that everyone wore.  His display board was on the Supermarket, and he was awarded  a Certificate of Appreciation for his overall efforts.

Both Sarah and Alexander participated in end-of-year performances for their respective drama classes which are always a lot of fun.

Sarah was part of the High School art exhibition, and also won Grade 7 Academic Awards for Cultural Studies, Performing Arts, Science, Citizen, Community & Service, and for Academic Overall Excellence.

We are so proud of both Sarah and Alexander for their try hard attitude and team efforts.  As part of their reward we took ourselves out for an end of year celebration dinner at one of Melissa's favourite restaurants and the smiles sy it all.

Lastly, in mid-June Sarah went to Kuala Lumpur with her school team-mates for the global finals of the World Scholars Cup.  Here is her report:

So for the past week I went to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. I went with my school for the global round for the World Scholars Cup (my team came 5^th overall in the Dubai regional round) and it was beautiful. I really like Kuala Lumpur. On the second day we went around KL and saw the Petronas Towers and went up Manara Kuala Lumpur Tower. We also went to Chinatown and I got some great deals there. Then for next few days it was the competition. The other schools there were really smart so there was a lot of competition. We had to write a persuasive essay, do a 135 question multiple choice test, 3 debates, a scavenger hunt, and a buzzer round. We managed to win one of our debates but that was really it. It was a great experience though. The part that wasn’t so great to experience was the dorms. There was no air-conditioning, windows didn’t shut, one sheet, squatty potties, no hot water and gross food. I didn’t really mind all of that but there were a billion mosquitoes whose mission in their life was to bite me. Because the windows didn’t shut they could come in and eat me to their hearts content while I slept. I am so itchy right now. But it is all an experience loved it. Can’t wait to go next year and maybe win something.