Clusters of Light to open in Sharjah

An open-air performance dramatising the story of the birth of Islam will be hosted in five shows in Sharjah's brand-new theatre space starting this month. Clusters of Light, an operetta, was written by Dr Abdul Rahman Al Ashmawi, a Saudi poet, and composed by the Bahraini artist Khalid Al Shaikh. The soundtrack was recorded by the German Film Orchestra Babelsberg in Berlin and was led by the German composer Christian Steinhauser. The stage show is a narration of the biography of the Prophet Mohammed from his birth until his death. Clusters of Light is part of the emirate's celebrations as the Islamic Culture Capital of the Arab region for 2014. After Sharjah, the oratorio will travel to a number of cities around the world. Clusters of Light runs at the Open Majaz Island Theatre from March 26 until April 5. – The National staff

Obama hams it up on Between Two Ferns

The United States President Barack Obama appeared on the comedian Zach Galifianakis's spoof talk show Between Two Ferns, on the website Funny or Die on Tuesday. After being asked how it felt to be "the last black president" and about the false notion that he was born in Kenya, the president pitched sign-ups for health care by the March 31 deadline. Obama's appearance is part of an effort to encourage Americans to sign up for healthcare, seen as crucial to the programme's success. Asked by Galifianakis whether he'd want a third term – which is barred by the Constitution – Obama said: "If I ran again it would be sort of like doing a third Hangover movie. It didn't really work out very well, did it?" Galifianakis is a star of the Hangover franchise. – AP

Pakistan premiere of Total Siyappa a success

The Karachi premiere of the Bollywood film Total Siyappa was rocking, says its lead star, the Pakistani actor Ali Zafar. "The Karachi premiere rocked. We got a massive applause. The Lahore premiere at the Super Cinema Vogue Theatre was equally successful," Ali said. According to a source from Karachi, the film's Indo-Pak love story was warmly accepted by the Pakistani audiences. The Bollywood actress Yami Gautam plays the female lead in the comedy, now playing in UAE cinemas. – IANS