Khalid bin Hamad Theatre Festival inaugurated

On the behalf of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Athletics Association, HE Mr. Hisham bin Mohamed Al Jowder, Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs, inaugurated the festival Khalid bin Hamad Theatre Award for National Clubs, Youth Centers and People with Disabilities.

The ceremony was attended by a number of ministry officials, senior intellectuals, and people interested in theatre.

The festival is organized by the Ministry of Youth & Sports in collaboration with the Media Office of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, with the slogan #Painting_A_Smile, at Isa Town Cultural and Sports Club Hall. It will continue until November 27. 

The Award is sponsored by: Tamkeen, Batelco, BANAGAS, Coca Cola, Al Hawaj, GPIC, Majestic Cars, Economic Development Board, Bapco, Palace Enterprises, Gulf University, Nissan, Yousif bin Ahmed Kanoo and Gadooa.

HE Mr. Hisham bin Mohamed Al Jowder said that holding the festival for the second time in a row comes under the cultural initiatives of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa to support youth in various fields. Al Jowder pointed out that HH is keen on helping the youth spread their creative through theatrical arts.

HE the Minister added that the Khalid bin Hamad Theatre Award is one of the most important gatherings and has important cultural and intellectual ideas while allowing space to develop theatre.

Attendance for the opening ceremony organization was outstanding with a large crowd. This highlights the keenness of Bahrain's youth to turn the event into a success.

HE the Minister further expressed his admiration to sections of the opening ceremony, in addition to the first show, Marwas, presented by East Riffa Youth Center.

The Minister also expressed his pride and gratitude to the wide participation of the youth, wishing everyone luck in the second edition of the award.

Artist Ali Al Sharqawi awarded

HE Mr. Hisham bin Mohamed AL Jowder, Minister of Youth & Sports Affairs, awarded Artist Ali Al Sharqawi after the conclusion of the operetta in the opening ceremony.

Al Sharqawi attended the Festival and accepted the honourary seal, despite his health conditions as he just came back to Bahrain.

The award was presented to him in recognition of his significant role. Al Sahrqawi is considered to be one of the prominent figures in various artistic fields, most notably in poetry being one of the most prominent poets in the Kingdom of Bahrain and has published many poems that received admiration. He was also in theatre and a song writer

On his part, Al Sharqawi expressed his happiness for the honour, saying he was proud to be honoured at this festival, and pointed out that love is what distinguishes the people of Bahrain.

"We always meet on and gather on love, as it is an element of power to the Bahraini community," he stated upon receiving the award.

The Bahraini artist assured his fans on his health conditions and said: "Thanks to Allah, I feel much better after my trip and I feel much better now as I am closer to my family and fans."

Honouring Al Arifi and Saadawi

His Excellency the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports also honoured two professors including Khalifa Al Arifi and Abdullah Al Saadawi, at the Opening Ceremony.

The honours took place following training workshops by the professors before the Festival launch.
Al Arifi presented a training workshop titled (The Art of Diction and Acting), while Saadawi presented a workshop titled (The Art of Improvisation).

Arifi received his own award, while Khalid AlRuwa’ei received the award on behalf of Al Saadawi.
The idea of training workshops has come as a qualitative additional step taken by the Festival’s organizing committee in its second edition.

The workshops saw the presence of many of the festival’s participants as well as those interested in theatrical and artistic fields in the Kingdom.

Professors Al Arifi and Al Saadawi expressed their pride at being a part of his Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad’s Youth Theatre festival organization.

The two stressed upon the importance of these workshops in refining the artistic talent of youth in the field of theatre.

They also considered their presence to be supportive of youth theatre; to rehabilitate and provide it with the basic skills and techniques necessary for the field.

The opening operetta

The Organizing Committee presented a special operetta in the opening ceremony at Isa Town Cultural and Sports Club Hall.

The operetta was part of the opening ceremony segments and received wide praise from the audience. The hall was full and hence some of the attendees had to stand to watch the show, giving a clear indication of the success of this festival.

The organizing committee was keen on embodying the message of the Festival in the operetta which comes within the framework of the organizing committee's plan to make the second edition of the award distinct and special.

‘Marwas,’ East Riffa Youth Center’s debut show reviewed by Al Saqer.

The play Marwas, directed by Al Bassam bin Ali and presented by East Riffa Youth Center was the first show of the festival.

The play is the debut for East Riffa production in theatre and won the audience praise.

The crew of the play includes: Al Bassam Ali, director and writer actors: Mohammed Saqer, Ahmed Al Sada, Mohammed Shaheen, Nasreen Sharif, Ahmed Rasheed, Fahad Al Ziri, Abullah Al Hamar, Aysha Al Maradi. The scenography (Décor, additions and effect) is handled by Al Bassam Ali and for Music: oud player Abdul Rahman Turki. Finally, live vocals are handled by: Ali Al Awadhi, Salim Yousif, Jassim Abdulrahman and Dalal Abdulrahman, the production manager is Faisal Mutib Al Anzi and the effects are by Ahmed Hassan with photographing, designing posters by Yahya Maher Al Emadi.

After the play concluded, a review session was conducted by Mr. Jamal Al Saqer. Who reviewed the play and listened to the opinions and views of the audience.

Today's play is ‘City of Everywhere’

The Khalid bin Hamad Theatre Award festival activities continue today (Thursday), with the third show being held and presented by Zallaq Youth Centre at Isa Town Cultural and Sports Hall.

The play titled City of Everywhere is directed by Ismail Murad.

Two plays were presented in the past two days by East Riffa Youth Center and Buri Cultural and Sports Club, titled "Marwas" and "There is Hero in My Head".

It's worth noting that was prepared by Mr. Fahad Al Baker, and Mr. Mustafa Khalifa provided the Dramaturgy.
The crew of the play is as follow: Noora Eid, assistant director, Mohamed Shaheen, scenography and lighting, Yousif Salim, music, Abdulrahman Al Ruwai, décor, Sarah Al Shaiji, makeup, Hussain Salim, poster design, Abdullah Al Tahan, production management and Mahmoud Mohammed, assistant production management.
The actor of the play is as follow: Nora Eid, Ali Al Murbati, Saleh Al Durazi, Mohamed Saadoon, Ibrahim Abdulaziz and Al Dar Bahraini band.

The invitation is open for everyone to attend the play.