Waterland Play 2026 in Sharjah

Waterland Play 2026 in Sharjah brings a story of volcanoes, displaced creatures and the choice between fear and kindness to Expo Centre Sharjah on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November. Billed as a powerful theatrical journey where compassion triumphs over fear and differences, the production has a cast of 18 and runs for 90 minutes, and it is listed among Platinumlist’s Arabic events for the emirate.

The story of Waterland

The play opens in a tourist city in the middle of a lively celebration. The festivities are cut short when a nearby volcano erupts, and the city is thrown into panic and chaos. Out of the smoke comes a group of amphibious creatures who have lost their home in the eruption and are desperately searching for safety and help.

What follows is a clash between two groups who have never had to share space before. Some of the humans respond with fear and rejection; others with compassion and a willingness to help. The play follows that tension as it builds, and asks how a community should treat newcomers who arrive in need.

Its message is spelled out clearly by the organisers: peace, coexistence and respect for others, and the idea that differences need not stop people from living together in harmony. That makes it a story that works on two levels, an adventure with a volcano and strange creatures for younger viewers, and a reflection on acceptance for older ones.

The cast

Eighteen performers are listed for the production, though individual roles have not been published. The cast is:

• Hussein al-Mahdi, Mohammed al-Muslim and Ahmad bin Hussein
• Zero Ego, Arij Al-Attar and Shamlan Al-Amiri
• Abdulaziz Al-Anzi, Hassan Abdul and Shaila Sabt
• Raghad, Ahmed Fat and Najla Al-Balushi
• Amani Al-Doub, Wahaj and Ramadan Iyad
• Fahd Al-Farhan, Jassim Al-Muslim and Jassim Thiab

A company of this size gives the play room for crowd scenes, which suits a story that begins with a city-wide celebration and turns into a confrontation between two whole communities.

Part of a busy November at Expo Centre Sharjah

Waterland is staged at Expo Centre Sharjah, the emirate’s main exhibition venue on Al Taawun Street in the Al Khalidiya district. Its two performances fall at the end of the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair, which runs at Expo Centre Sharjah from 4 to 15 November 2026 with Oman as Guest of Honour, and general enquiries for the play are handled by the book fair’s ticketed events team.

That timing makes it easy to combine the play with a visit to the fair, one of the largest book fairs in the region, with more than 2,000 publishing houses from 124 countries taking part this year. Families who spend the afternoon among the stands can stay on for an evening of theatre at the same venue.

Who it suits

Waterland is listed under kids’ events and is aimed at families. There is no minimum age on the official listing, but everyone attending needs a valid ticket, children included. At 90 minutes, it is a full-length evening play, so it is best suited to school-age children who can follow a story with a serious idea at its centre.

The themes give parents plenty to talk about afterwards: why the humans react the way they do, what it feels like to lose your home, and how a community decides who belongs. For older children and teenagers, it is a thoughtful alternative to a purely comic family show. As an Arabic event, it suits audiences comfortable following a play in Arabic.

Timings and entry rules

Entry timings are strict for this production. Doors open 60 minutes before each performance and close 30 minutes before the show begins, and there is no admission after the doors close. For the Saturday performance, which is listed at 7:30pm, that means being inside by 7pm. Follow the organiser’s instructions on entry and exit at the venue.

Tickets can be rescheduled but cannot be refunded or cancelled, so check your booking details before you buy. Bring a copy of your ticket on the day; if it has not arrived, contact Platinumlist’s help centre. Platinumlist also offers a resale option if you need to pass your ticket to another fan.

Getting to Expo Centre Sharjah

By car from Dubai, take Al Ittihad Road and follow it to Al Taawun Street. The organisers note that they are not responsible for congestion on the street, which is worth bearing in mind during book fair weeks, when the area is busy and expanded parking and shuttle buses are laid on for fair visitors. By public transport, bus E307A runs to the Al Qasba 1 stop in Sharjah, a short walk from the venue. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are also an option.

For more family outings, see our guide to kids’ events, browse shows and theatre, or find more things to do in Sharjah and things to do in November.