HE Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani, Minister of Culture, honoured on Sunday evening luminaries of Qatari theatre during the 35th Doha Theatre Festival at the Katara Drama Theatre.
The audience and theatre lovers were treated to a memorable night that had a distinct musical and theatrical character, during which the Theatre Affairs Centre presented a show titled 'Fifty Years of Theatre'.
It was composed by Talal al-Siddiqi and directed by Nasser Abdelridha, featuring singers Rehab Malouk and Mishaal al-Dosari, as well as music arrangement and execution by Nader Abdel-Salam.
The recording was done at Al Matar Studio, the graphics by Abdelkarim Abu Tayem, the lighting by Omar Atrous and the sound design by Aziz.
The ceremony began with the screening of a documentary film chronicling the history of the theatrical movement and its beginnings in the seventies. A set of photographs and videos were displayed that showcased the creativity of the first artistes.
Then, a group of Qatari theatre icons presented a special show, in which they reviewed their journey in words, and this was accompanied by short artistic scenes with the help of a number of artistes.
The ceremony witnessed the honouring of a group of pioneers of the theatrical movement in Qatar, as well as some artists from the civil groups participating in the festival.
Those honoured included Mohamed Abu Jasoum, Ghazi Hussein and Hamad Abdelridha from Qatar Theatre Group, Dr Hassan Rashid, Saad Bakhit, Rashid al-Shaib and Ali al-Khalaf from Doha Theatre Group, Youssef Sultan and Saadi al-Shammari from Al Watan Theatre Group.
A number of Gulf and Arab theatre stars who were guests at the festival were also honoured: Khalil al-Rumaithi, Hassan Rajab, Sulaf Jalil, Mohamed al-Hamli, Ibrahim al-Zadjali, Khaled al-Muzaffar, Abdulaziz Safar and Youssef al-Jarrah. A concert by Khaled Abdul Karim al-Hammadi highlighted a wonderful artistic balance through the theatrical works in which he participated.
Glimpses from the ceremony. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil
