Fujairah:The Gulf Theatre Festival for National Theatre Troupes is set to commence this Friday in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. The event will showcase six theatrical productions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Qatar’s entry, “Zhabia,” presented by Al Watan Theatre Troupe. Qatar will also contribute to the festival’s intellectual symposium, focusing on contemporary Gulf theatre criticism.
According to Qatar News Agency, “Zhabia” is written and directed by Saad Bourshid, a faculty member at the Community College of Qatar, and will be performed on November 18. Bourshid described the play as an exploration of the collective memory of the sea and the social life in Qatar and the Gulf during the 1920s, highlighting maritime history through stories of pearl diving, sea voyages, and the concept of homecoming.
The character of Zhabia symbolizes the strength and wisdom of women in Gulf maritime communities, depicting their resilience during challenging times. The play’s dramatic narrative celebrates courage, patience, and a strong sense of belonging. The cast features Ahmed Afif, Sarah Al Rouhani, Abdullah Mubarak, Abdulrahman Al Mansouri, Munther Thani, Bassem Ibrahim, and Salman Salem.
Qatar’s intellectual contribution includes a research paper by Dr. Marzouq Bashir bin Marzouq titled “Between Impressionism and Critical Methodology A Study of the Challenges Facing Contemporary Gulf Theatre Criticism.” The paper addresses the dominance of impressionistic criticism and suggests comprehensive methodologies to enhance critical practices in Gulf theatre.
The festival will open with the Emirati production “Fin Chromosome,” followed by performances from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait. The programme also includes post-performance discussions, a playwriting workshop, and an intellectual symposium.
The festival will conclude on November 20 with a ceremony at the Fujairah Cultural Centre Theatre, where winners will be honoured in the presence of participating Gulf theatre delegations.
Source Qatar News Agency