Al-Masrah Magazine: Global theatre insights and developments

new building for Theatrical Association

The introduction to the issue starts a report on the graduation ceremony of the third batch of the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA). It also includes statements from a number of Emirati artists expressing their deep gratitude and appreciation for the new grant bestowed by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, by allocating a six-story building in the Al Taawun area to the Theatrical Association.

The same section includes a survey on the progress of the Kalba Short Plays Festival, marking its twelfth edition, which will be held next September.

Reviews

"Readings" section includes a number of reviews of theatrical performances recently held in Arab capitals. Mohamed Laaziz wrote about "Remains," the latest work by Moroccan director Mohamed Farkani; Al-Hussam Mohieddine reviewed "Media" by Lebanese director Chris Ghafri; Abdelkarim Kadri analysed "Al-Saqiya" by Algerian director Soumaya Bounab; Samer Mohamed Ismail wrote about "To Prepare a Boiled Egg" by Kuwaiti director Musab Al-Salem; and Kamal Al-Shihawi wrote about "Jacaranda" by Tunisian director Nizar Al-Saidi.

Mahmoud Abu Doma

In the "Dialogue" section, the magazine published an interview with Egyptian writer, researcher, and director Mahmoud Abu Doma, in which he spoke about his beginnings, the cultural and academic influences that shaped his personality, his efforts in experimenting with independent theatre in Alexandria, and the most prominent issues facing theatrical thought at the local and Arab levels.

Interviews

"Horizons" includes an interview with the young Tunisian artist Marwa Al-Mansouri, who has achieved a remarkable presence in the local scene as a theatrical costume designer, appearing in numerous successful theatrical productions, most notably the works of director Fadel Jaibi.

The "Follow-ups" section covers a short interview with Tunisian critic Fawzia Al-Mizzi, in which she discusses the experience of establishing a theatre critics' association and the most prominent challenges and potentials of new theatre criticism experiments. The section also highlights Naguib Mahfouz's theatre and its intellectual orientations, marking the thirtieth anniversary of his death.

Readings

In "Readings," Alaa Al-Jabri analyses the book "Brecht in Gulf Theatre" by Iraqi writer Dhafer Jalloud.

In "Visions," Walid Al-Daghsni writes "Short Plays from Concept to Realisation," and Hussam Al-Masoudi writes "Short Texts: The Future of Contemporary Drama."

In "Travels," Sherif Al-Shafei recounts his journey to the French city, Lodève and the US Bridgewater. Letters includes reports on theatrical activities in Sharjah, Algiers, Rabat, and Stockholm.