Doha, November 11 (QNA) - The Gulf Theatre Festival for National Theatre Troupes will open this Friday in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, featuring six theatrical productions representing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Qatar's Zhabia, presented by Al Watan Theatre Troupe. Qatar will also participate in the festival's accompanying intellectual symposium, contributing to discussions on contemporary Gulf theatre criticism.
Written and directed by artist and academic Saad Bourshid, a faculty member at Community College of Qatar, Zhabia will be staged on November 18.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Bourshid said the play explores the collective memory of the sea and the social life of Qatar and the wider Gulf during the 1920s, evoking a defining chapter in the region's maritime history through stories of pearl diving, sea voyages, longing and homecoming.
The production revolves around Zhabia, a character who embodies the strength, loyalty and wisdom of women in Gulf maritime communities, reflecting their resilience in confronting the hardships of life during that era. Through its dramatic narrative, the play celebrates courage, patience and a profound sense of belonging, weaving an intimate story of a woman, a home and a homeland.
The cast includes Ahmed Afif, Sarah Al Rouhani, Abdullah Mubarak, Abdulrahman Al Mansouri, Munther Thani, Bassem Ibrahim and Salman Salem.
Qatar's intellectual contribution will come through a research paper by Dr. Marzouq Bashir bin Marzouq, a researcher specialising in media and drama, entitled "Between Impressionism and Critical Methodology: A Study of the Challenges Facing Contemporary Gulf Theatre Criticism."
The paper examines the dominance of impressionistic criticism over objective, methodical approaches, exploring the relationship between personal taste and scholarly knowledge, and the potential for adopting more comprehensive analytical methodologies that balance academic rigour with aesthetic sensitivity. It also proposes institutional, educational, professional and media recommendations to strengthen critical practice and support theatrical creativity across the Gulf.
The festival will open with the Emirati production "Fin Chromosome," written by Ismail Abdullah and directed by Mohammed Al Amiri. Bahrain will present "Al Zawbah" on November 15, followed by Saudi Arabia's "Al Sarram" on November 16 and Oman's "The Other Face" on November 17. Qatar's Zhabia will take the stage on November 18, while Kuwait's "What Is Not Mine" will bring the performances to a close on November 19.
The programme also features post-performance discussions, a playwriting workshop from November 15 to 18, and an intellectual symposium entitled "Theatrical Criticism: From Impression to Media Vision" on November 16 and 17.
The festival will conclude on November 20 with a ceremony at the Fujairah Cultural Centre Theatre, honouring the winners in the presence of participating Gulf theatre delegations. (QNA)