Dhofar International Theatre Festival to conclude today
Published: 05:10 PM,Oct 08,2024 | EDITED : 09:10 PM,Oct 08,2024
As the festival reaches its final day, it has showcased a variety of captivating performances
SALALAH: The curtain will fall on the inaugural Dhofar International Theatre Festival on Wednesday with the closing performance of Al Marouj under the auspices of Dr Abdullah bin Nasser al Harrasi, Minister of Information.
Held from October 2 to 9, the festival has garnered considerable attention from theatre aficionados, who have filled the venues of Al Marouj, Oubar, and the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah to witness an array of extraordinary performances.
The festival’s programme featured six distinct competitive categories: Grand Performances, Popular Theatre, Children’s Theatre, Street Theatre and Open Spaces, Duo Theatre, and Monodrama.
As the festival reaches its final day, it has showcased a variety of captivating performances. The Children’s Theatre category opened with Egypt’s production of Beauty and the Beast, followed by Romania’s Not Me in the Monodrama competition.
Canada’s Suitcase was featured in the Duo Theatre competition, while Oman contributed with Kiosk in the Street Theatre category and Mooshka in the Grand Performances competition. The final performance in the Popular Theatre competition was Palestine’s The Lady’s Dog.
Iraqi director Ahmed Al Shamali, Assistant Director of the children’s play Raindrop, offered his insights into the production: “Raindrop, presented by the Mahmoud Abu Abbas Troupe, emphasises the profound significance of even a single drop of water as the essence of life. Although it appears simple, the play conveys a deeply resonant message about how water sustains all forms of life.” He continued, “While the focus of the play is on water, its narrative carries a broader and more poignant message woven into the script.” The play Raindrop has previously been staged at various children’s theatre festivals in Jordan, Baghdad, and across Iraq, receiving much acclaim.
Dr Kholoud Jabar, Director of the Institute of Fine Arts for Girls in Basra and head of the Mahmoud Abu Abbas Troupe, expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome extended by Oman. “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the people of Oman, particularly those in Dhofar, for their exceptional hospitality and for organising such a well-executed festival.” She elaborated on the themes of the play, stating, “Raindrop delves into the theme of selfishness among certain creatures. While it is framed as a children’s play, it is imbued with rich philosophical depth that speaks to audiences of all ages.” On their participation in the festival, Dr Jabar said, “We are honoured to be part of this festival’s first edition. This is our debut in Oman, and we are hopeful that our performance of Raindrop will leave a lasting impression.” She further highlighted that Raindrop is a distinguished piece in Iraqi children’s theatre, having garnered numerous prestigious awards across Iraq and the Arab world.
Tunisian director Saif Al Adeeb, who helmed the production of Salvador, expressed his delight at returning to Oman for the second time. “Last year, we participated in the University Festival in Muscat and won seven awards. This is my first experience in Salalah, and the audience has been truly outstanding. I extend my deepest appreciation to the organising committee for their meticulous efforts and dedication.” Al Adeeb represents the Bizerte Renaissance Association, which is soon to celebrate its centenary. The association is active in various theatre fields, from children’s and youth productions to street performances, and it prides itself on fostering a spirit of collaboration and teamwork.
Omani director Mohammed bin Haider, who presented the play Prisoner of Desire in the Monodrama competition, described the play as a meditation on the elusive nature of happiness. “The core message of the play is simple yet profound: we spend our lives in pursuit of happiness, often chasing wealth and power, only to find ourselves isolated and unfulfilled.”
Held from October 2 to 9, the festival has garnered considerable attention from theatre aficionados, who have filled the venues of Al Marouj, Oubar, and the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah to witness an array of extraordinary performances.
The festival’s programme featured six distinct competitive categories: Grand Performances, Popular Theatre, Children’s Theatre, Street Theatre and Open Spaces, Duo Theatre, and Monodrama.
As the festival reaches its final day, it has showcased a variety of captivating performances. The Children’s Theatre category opened with Egypt’s production of Beauty and the Beast, followed by Romania’s Not Me in the Monodrama competition.
Canada’s Suitcase was featured in the Duo Theatre competition, while Oman contributed with Kiosk in the Street Theatre category and Mooshka in the Grand Performances competition. The final performance in the Popular Theatre competition was Palestine’s The Lady’s Dog.
Iraqi director Ahmed Al Shamali, Assistant Director of the children’s play Raindrop, offered his insights into the production: “Raindrop, presented by the Mahmoud Abu Abbas Troupe, emphasises the profound significance of even a single drop of water as the essence of life. Although it appears simple, the play conveys a deeply resonant message about how water sustains all forms of life.” He continued, “While the focus of the play is on water, its narrative carries a broader and more poignant message woven into the script.” The play Raindrop has previously been staged at various children’s theatre festivals in Jordan, Baghdad, and across Iraq, receiving much acclaim.
Dr Kholoud Jabar, Director of the Institute of Fine Arts for Girls in Basra and head of the Mahmoud Abu Abbas Troupe, expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome extended by Oman. “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the people of Oman, particularly those in Dhofar, for their exceptional hospitality and for organising such a well-executed festival.” She elaborated on the themes of the play, stating, “Raindrop delves into the theme of selfishness among certain creatures. While it is framed as a children’s play, it is imbued with rich philosophical depth that speaks to audiences of all ages.” On their participation in the festival, Dr Jabar said, “We are honoured to be part of this festival’s first edition. This is our debut in Oman, and we are hopeful that our performance of Raindrop will leave a lasting impression.” She further highlighted that Raindrop is a distinguished piece in Iraqi children’s theatre, having garnered numerous prestigious awards across Iraq and the Arab world.
Tunisian director Saif Al Adeeb, who helmed the production of Salvador, expressed his delight at returning to Oman for the second time. “Last year, we participated in the University Festival in Muscat and won seven awards. This is my first experience in Salalah, and the audience has been truly outstanding. I extend my deepest appreciation to the organising committee for their meticulous efforts and dedication.” Al Adeeb represents the Bizerte Renaissance Association, which is soon to celebrate its centenary. The association is active in various theatre fields, from children’s and youth productions to street performances, and it prides itself on fostering a spirit of collaboration and teamwork.
Omani director Mohammed bin Haider, who presented the play Prisoner of Desire in the Monodrama competition, described the play as a meditation on the elusive nature of happiness. “The core message of the play is simple yet profound: we spend our lives in pursuit of happiness, often chasing wealth and power, only to find ourselves isolated and unfulfilled.”