Children's Theatre in Oman 1970
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Children’s Theatre in Oman 1970- 2007: Towards a Developed Theatre Kamla Alwaleed Al Hinai Queensland University of Technology Creative Industries Faculty Drama 2010 Submitted in full requirement for the award of IF49 Doctor of Philosophy Keywords The following keywords appear within the thesis or are associated with the thesis topic: children's theatre, children's theatre history, Omani theatre, theatre in education. These words have been listed for cataloguing purposes. 1 2 Abstract Children‟s theatre exists along with other theatrical forms in the cultural life of the Sultanate of Oman. Despite the fact that Omani Children‟s Theatre started its life at the beginning of the 1970s, many challenges and obstacles continue to face its ongoing development. A significant landmark in this development was the first Omani Children's Theatre Festival which took place in 2007, thirty-five years after the first Omani children‟s play was produced in 1972. This festival represents a new era in the history of Omani theatre in general and the history of children‟s theatre in particular. This study investigates how Children‟s Theatre in the Sultanate of Oman can become a viable and valued form of art for the future. It outlines the historical background and the present situation of Omani children‟s theatre and, through discussions with interviewees, defines the obstacles it presently faces and suggests ways to overcome them. The study provides a clear vision for a strong children‟s theatre culture in Oman and outlines recommendations for achieving this vision. Presently, there is little written documentation about children‟s theatre in Oman. This study provides the first comprehensive historical overview. 3 4 Table of Contents Keywords .................................................................................................................................. 1 Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... 3 List of Tables, Figures and Illustrations .................................................................................... 9 Statement of Original Authorship ........................................................................................... 11 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................. 13 Chapter One: Introduction ....................................................................................................... 15 1.1 Research Background ........................................................................................................ 16 1.2 Research Aims and Objectives .......................................................................................... 17 1.3 Background of the Research Topic (Previous Studies) ...................................................... 19 1.4 The Sultanate of Oman: Pre and Post 1970 ....................................................................... 21 1.4.1 Geographical and Historical Background ....................................................................... 21 1.4.2 Oman Pre 1970 ............................................................................................................... 22 1.4.3 Oman Post 1970 .............................................................................................................. 23 1.4.4 The Position of the Child in the Omani Society Pre and Post 1970 ............................... 24 Chapter 2: Research Methodology .......................................................................................... 27 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 27 2.2 Qualitative Research .......................................................................................................... 27 2.3 Interpretive Paradigm of the Study: Constructivism .......................................................... 29 2.4 Methodological Approaches .............................................................................................. 31 2.4.1 Grounded Theory ............................................................................................................ 31 2.4.2 Interviews ........................................................................................................................ 33 2.4.3 Historiography ................................................................................................................ 36 2.5 Research Problem .............................................................................................................. 37 2.6 Design of the Study ............................................................................................................ 38 2.6.1 Investigation One: Interviews ......................................................................................... 38 2.6.2 Investigation Two: Historical Analysis ........................................................................... 40 2.6.3 Data Collection Methods and Analysis ........................................................................... 41 2.6.4 Ethical Considerations .................................................................................................... 43 Chapter Three: Contextual Review .......................................................................................... 45 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 45 3.2 Children‟s Theatre: Terminology and Concept.................................................................. 46 3.3 Definitions of „Children‟s Theatre‟ .................................................................................... 49 3.3.1 Theatre for the Very Young ............................................................................................ 53 5 3.3.2 Definition of „Children‟s Theatre‟ in Oman.................................................................... 59 3.4 History of Children‟s Theatre ............................................................................................ 64 3.4.1 History of Children‟s Theatre in the Arab World until 2005 .......................................... 64 3.5 Children‟s Folklore and Art in the Sultanate of Oman ...................................................... 67 3.5.1 Folkloric Songs ............................................................................................................... 68 3.5.2 Traditional Sports and Games ......................................................................................... 71 3.5.3 Folkloric Tales ................................................................................................................ 73 3.6 The Obstacles Facing Children‟s Theatre in the Arab World ............................................ 75 3.7 The Importance of the Arts in Children‟s Lives ................................................................. 79 3.8 The Importance of Children‟s Theatre in Oman ................................................................ 86 3.9 Omani Government Authorities Responsible for Children‟s Culture in Oman ................. 90 3.9.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 90 3.9.2 The Ministry of Education .............................................................................................. 91 3.9.3 The Ministry of Heritage and Culture ............................................................................. 95 3.9.4 The Ministry of Social Development .............................................................................. 97 3.9.5 The National Committee for Child Care ......................................................................... 99 3.9.6 The Ministry of Information: Omani TV and Radio ....................................................... 99 3.9.7 Muscat and Dhofar Municipalities ................................................................................ 101 3.10 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 104 Chapter Four: The History of Children‟s Theatre in Oman .................................................. 107 4.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 107 4.2 The History of Omani Theatre ......................................................................................... 107 4.2.1 The Beginning of Omani Theatre Pre and Post 1970: Scholastic Theatre (Al Masrah Al Madrasi) ............................................................................................................................ 108 4.2.2 Club Theatre (Masar‟eh Al Alandiah): Al Ahli Club .................................................... 113 4.2.3 Youth Theatre (Masr‟ah Alshapap) ............................................................................... 116 4.2.4 Public/Local Theatrical Groups (Al Feraq Al Ahliah) .................................................. 118 4.2.5 University Theatre (Masrah Al Gam‟ah) ...................................................................... 121 4.3 The History of Omani Children‟s Theatre ....................................................................... 127 4.3.1 Survey of Children‟s Performances and Theatrical