Saudi Arabia Backs Syrian Theatre & Restores Its Prominence in Arab Culture

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has long admired Syrian theatre, is contributing significantly to its return to the forefront of Arab art. As part of the Riyadh Season activities, several Syrian plays were performed, demonstrating these efforts.

The Syrian play “A Wedding in a Huge Rhythm,” starring Qusai Khouli and Nour Ali, was one of these pieces. It ended its run at the Mohammed Al Ali Theatre following a week of overwhelming audience acclaim.

Shared Values: Uniting the Saudi & Syrian Communities

The play provided a joyous experience steeped in Syrian tradition and presented in a contemporary visual style. It transcended artistic performance, delivering a cultural and humanitarian message about the resurgence of Syrian theatre within Arab culture, particularly in Saudi Arabia. The production uniquely combined drama, dance, and traditional music.

The play features a “multi-layered message,” as noted by actor Qusai Khouli on “Tafa’alkum.” It revitalises Syrian drama on the Arab stage while paying tribute to the Kingdom and its leadership. Khouli clarified that its resonance with audiences stems from shared values between Saudi and Syrian communities, including family ties, respect for heritage, and traditions.

Khouli noted that significant sponsorship and organisational support helped deliver a performance befitting the legacy of Syrian drama. He stressed Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in reuniting Syrian artists after years of separation, restoring their confidence and hope in art’s capacity to overcome geographical and political barriers.

Further, he emphasised the focus on the Saudi audience, noted for their sophisticated artistic appreciation and familiarity with Syrian works, leading the team to create a piece that respects this heritage while introducing new artistic elements.

Notably, Artist Nour Ali expressed that the technical equipment available in Saudi Arabia significantly outperformed that of Syria during the war, enabling her team to deliver a comprehensive visual experience and offering Syrian theatre new means of audience engagement.

Meanwhile, Riyadh Season showcased the comedy play “Premature Birth” at the Bakr Al-Shadi Theatre, inspired by Italian theatre and satirising social paradoxes in Rome. Besides, Ayman Zeidan, who wrote, directed, and starred in the lead role, highlighted that the play reflects the worries of the average Arab citizen while blending humour with thought-provoking concepts.

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The Value of Saudi Arabian & Syrian Theatre Collaboration

This project is a component of Riyadh Season’s plan to present an array of artistic content that blends real Arab experiences with foreign productions. This reflects the diversity of the season’s theatrical landscape and gives the audience the chance to investigate various theatrical schools. Numerous artists and theatrical companies from Syria, Egypt, and Lebanon have participated in the season thus far to share information and skills and display top-notch artistic creations.

Ayman Zeidan, a Syrian artist, thanked Advisor Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, for helping Syrian artists and giving them the chance to take part in Riyadh Season. He emphasised that Syrian theatre finds a platform in Saudi Arabia to promote its performances and foster artistic creativity, and he commended the efforts made to grow the entertainment industry in the Kingdom and provide a variety of cultural and artistic content.

The Authority aims to host more Arab artists, support performing arts, and promote Arab theatrical productions through financial and technical assistance, as well as by organising festivals and competitions, thereby enriching the artistic landscape and creating opportunities for creative individuals.

To put it succinctly, Saudi Arabia is allowing Syrian artists to resurrect their work following the war while also providing its audience with the opportunity to witness various Arab theatrical productions, combining artistic experiences into a single event with the overarching theme of “Saudi Arabia: A Hub for Creative Minds.”

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