Kuwait city: The 8th Kuwait International Monodrama Festival opened today, Sunday, at the Kuwait National Museum, showcasing Qatari involvement.
According to Qatar News Agency, the festival will continue until next Thursday, featuring 11 theatrical performances from 10 countries including Kuwait, Qatar, Spain, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Algeria, Iraq, and Palestine. Qatar is participating with the play "The Shoeshine Man," authored by Dr. Khaled Al Jaber, which has been presented at numerous festivals before.
The monodrama "The Shoeshine Man" delves into the challenges faced by contemporary Arabs amid political and social changes. It narrates the journey of a lone character's inner turmoil, rich with diverse voices and meanings, illustrating a feeling of alienation and futility.
The festival commenced with "Abaya," a play by the Teatro Troupe from Kuwait, scripted by Dr. Fatima Al Attar and directed by Dr. Hani Al Nassar. The opening ceremony also celebrated the contributions of Kuwaiti artist Ibrahim Al Sallal as the festival's honoree, alongside several other Kuwaiti and Arab artists.
Musaed Al Zamil, Assistant Secretary-General for the Arts Sector at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters in Kuwait, remarked that monodrama is a sophisticated form of theatrical expression. It provides a platform where the actor and audience engage in a truthful and creative space, allowing the solo performer to deliver a rich artistic and intellectual vision that captures the essence of theater and its humanistic significance.