RIYADH: Ten plays by Saudi theater groups will compete for 11 awards at the Riyadh Theater Festival, the Kingdom鈥檚 Theater and Performing Arts Commission has announced.
The festival will take place between Dec. 13-24 and its first session will take place at Princess Nourah bint Abdul Rahman University where shortlisted plays will be performed, the CEO of the Theater and Performing Arts Commission Sultan Al-Bazie said.
The plays were shortlisted according to factors including their appeal to audiences, quality, serious and creative presentation, and language used.
The awards that are up for grabs include: best actor, best actress, best theatrical script, best theatrical directing, best integrated theatrical performance, best theatrical lighting, best scenography, best theatrical make-up, best theatrical costumes, best theatrical music, and best theatrical decoration.
The festival will also celebrate the life of the late Saudi writer and playwright Mohammed Al-Othaim by putting on a play based on his vision as a director, displaying an art exhibition related to his artistic career, holding seminars and critical readings, hosting a workshop on theater arts and developing and refining the skills of playwrights, and presenting an international play.
The festival aims to refine and develop Saudi talent by helping participants to carve out successful careers and create content that inspires the audience and elevates the Saudi theatrical sector, which is considered one of the most promising sectors in the Kingdom.
The selected plays are as follows:聽
- 鈥淪ea鈥 by the Al-Ahsa Culture and Arts Association Troupe
- 鈥淭he Forbidden鈥 by the First Leap Club Troupe
- 鈥淏eginnings of Abandonment鈥 by the Close Media Ensemble
- 鈥淪lap鈥 by the Kalos Ensemble
- 鈥淭he Devil鈥檚 Memory鈥 by Ruya Ensemble
- 鈥淟ight鈥 by Taif Theater
- 鈥淣ewspaper Seller鈥 by the Fun Box Ensemble
- 鈥淵ellow Memory鈥 by the Nawras Ensemble
- 鈥淐losed Roundabout鈥 by the Masma Theater Club
- 鈥淭he Last Shadow鈥 by the National Theater Ensemble
