Children were keen to meet and have their pictures clicked with some Family Show characters at
Lagoona Mall yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma & Joey Aguilar

By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter

Malls across the country continue to attract a large number of families and individuals with various Eid al-Fitr entertainment shows, which will run until tomorrow.

“We have received a good response from mall-goers and most of the spectators are children,” Navaneeth Sudhakaran, manager at Al Khor Mall, told Gulf Times.

Through a feedback mechanism, he said, people who have watched the shows lauded the performers for their “wit and exceptional feat”.

Jonathan, a father of two, was all praise for the stage artistes from London for their portrayal of the Beauty and the Beast.

He said he makes it a point to take his sons to similar events that have good lessons for children.

“The message was clear and I believe that stage performances help a lot in instilling good values in our kids,” added Jonathan, who also watched “interactive media” illusionist Tony Chapek at Lagoona Mall with colleagues.

Like “4D magic”, the clown show held at Lagoona Mall yesterday also turned out to be a big draw, with children thoroughly enjoying the tricks and antics of the performer on stage.

City Center Doha director Joerg Harengerd observed that more people have come to malls this year, bringing their families to enjoy the Eid al-Fitr festivities organised by Qatar Tourism Authority.

He said they used the mall’s ice skating rink to stage the shows and for mall-goers to have a better view from each floor.

This has attracted thousands of people who have watched shows like Lazy Town, Hedge People, Balloonatic, clown show, Fritters, Angry Birds and Mix Juggler, according to Harengerd.

He estimates that more than 3,000 individuals watch each show every day. “As the shows become better, we also want to give mall-goers a safe and good view to watch world-class performers on stage,” he added.

Residents and visitors will have the chance to take their families to the six malls - City Center, Lagoona, Al Khor Mall, Landmark, Hyatt Plaza and The Mall - until tomorrow to watch the shows.

Besides malls, Souq Waqif has been attracting visitors with its entertainment tent (in front of Gold Souq) and the Ukrainian circus at Al Rayyan Theatre.

QTA had earlier announced that it has also prepared numerous shows for its Summer Festival, which will start after the Eid al-Fitr festivities. These events will run until the last week of September.

While some residents are on vacation outside the country, many havepreferred to stay back and enjoy the Eid holidays at Doha’s parks, malls and on the Corniche., among other places.

BELOW:

1) A show being staged at Hyatt Plaza as part of the Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

2) Children enjoying a show at Hyatt Plaza.

3 & 4) A clown enthralling the audience with his tricks during a show at Lagoona Mall yesterday.