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A taste of Oktoberfest

THE historical significance of the Oktoberfest, the premier festival in the province of Bavaria, Germany, might not have much impact in the Capital of the Eastern Region, but that did not stop copious numbers of residents celebrating the occasion with great gusto last Thursday night.

With the evening weather getting nigh on perfect now, the venue was the poolside of the Al Ain Rotana Hotel and a groaning buffet of German foodstuffs greeted the revellers.

A sample of just about every variety of South German food was on display, but at the end most of the replete diners the highlight were the sausages of which I counted seven kinds. Even that somewhat iconoclast, Caledonian Society Chieftain Stewart Walker concurred.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by an appropriately clad trio flown in for the occasion by Lufthansa, one of the major sponsors.

Their programme contained the traditional and expected examples of Lieder and Oompah musical pieces, but with lots of golden oldies, which at the end had the late-stayers on the dance floor.

Full marks to John Mullen, Master of Ceremonies and Human Resources Manager at the Hotel, for his efforts in encouraging the fun and frivolity. Daft games included carrying beer mugs, playing spoons and dancing the chicken. There was even a competition to estimate the height of the diminutive and effervescent MC. A notable performance here was Steve Jackson's demolishing of the log. His sawing was worth seeing.

The raffle draw was for a Lufthansa return air ticket to Germany. This was won by a delighted Gazi Khairy, whose reaction was "simply fabulous". The prize was handed over by Mr Roberto Cossutti, Service Manager of Abu Dhabi Motors, which specialises in the import of BMW products.

A major sponsor of the event, Mr Roberto had two BMW motorcycles on view at the poolside. His company are looking to expand their operation into Al Ain and by the end of 2004 will have a sales room and service centre with a capacity of 50 vehicles a day.

Play time

THE first British Airways production of the season will be the musical/comedy 'Rough Crossing' by Tom Stoppard with music by AndrŽ Previn.

The Playhouse will be on Friday, October 10th, at the InterContinental Resort with dinner at 7:00 and show at 9:00. Cost is 200 Dirhams inclusive and out-of-towners can contact the Hotel for special overnight rates. Tom Stoppard is well known as the author of 'Shakespeare in Love', 'Rosencrantz' and 'Guildenstern are Dead'. Rough Crossing is a spoof of the sophisticated comedies associated with Noel Coward.

The original is set on an ocean liner en route to New York, and the play has been applauded for its rapid repartee, bilingual puns and dazzling wit.

The action is provided by two flamboyant playwrights striving to meet a deadline, a temperamental leading lady with a secret, a fading matinee idol with lecherous intent, a composer with a bizarre speech impediment and a steward on his maiden voyage who has not yet found his sea legs.

British Airways have a long association with Al Ain through Omeir Travel, who have been general service agents for the Airline in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi since 1956. Mr Shafaat is currently the man to see to check your reservations.

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