Theatre of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Theater is a performing art presented on-stage across Saudi Arabia and is overseen by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts plays a major role in showcasing, fostering, and supporting Saudi theater in all regions of the Kingdom.

The theatrical movement in Saudi Arabia can be traced back to a play written by poet Hussain Abdullah Siraj in the year 1932, titled "He Who Wrongs Himself (Al-Zalim li-Nafsih)."[1] However, it wasn't until 1950 that the theatrical scene gained momentum when shows were held across Saudi theaters, most notably including the "Salah Al Din" and "Abdul Rahman Al Dakhil" plays. Between 1960 and 1970, theatrical plays evolved into social dramas that were enjoyed by all members of society. Within Saudi Theater, performance arts can be classified into various different categories, including School Theater, Social or Community Theater, Experimental Theater, Elite Theater, and Academic theater.

In 2018, 273 plays were held across Saudi theatres, according to statistics published by the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts. In 2019, the General Entertainment Authority produced 44 plays, with most of them being locally made, while some featured artists from the Gulf, such as "The Wolf in the Well (Al-Dhib fi-l-Qalib)" portrayed by actor Nasser Al Qasabi.[2]

In 2019, the National Theater and Orchestra was formed, with the King Fahad Cultural Center functioning as its headquarters.[3] In January 2020, the Theater and Performing Arts Commission was established to develop and support the theatrical sector and encourage investment in it. In October 2021, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development announced a decision to set up the first-ever professional association for theater and performance arts, whose board would be chaired by Nasser Al Qasabi[4] and would include members like Dr. Sami Al Juman, Rashid Al Shamrani, Khalid Albaz, Yasser Madkhali, Fahad Al Hawshani, Roaa Alsahhaf, Yaser Bakr, Sami Al Zahrani, Fatima Al Banawi, and Samira Al Khamis.[5]

  1. ^ Report on the State of Culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2019: Facts and Figures, Theater Chapter p. 151.
  2. ^ Report on the State of Culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2019: Facts and Figures, Theater Chapter p. 160.
  3. ^ "Fahad Cultural Center to House Saudi National Theater, Orchestra". english.aawsat.com. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  4. ^ Bacchus, Pandora (26 October 2021). "Nasser Al-Qassabi, President of the First Professional Association for Drama and Art Performance in Saudi Arabia". Dubai Week. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  5. ^ Alotaibi, Naif Khalaf N (3 June 2013). "A Historical Study of Saudi Theatre with Reference to the History of Theatre in the General Presidency for Youth Welfare". University of Exeter: 354. Retrieved 25 November 2016.