The 15th Arab Theatre Festival, scheduled to take place in Muscat from January 9 to 15, 2025 will present an outstanding selection of theatrical performances from across the Arab world. Organised by the Arab Theatre Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and the Omani Theatre Association, the event celebrates the vibrancy and creativity of Arab theatre.

The festival’s selection committee reviewed 175 productions from 13 Arab countries, ultimately selecting 15 shows to be showcased across two tracks. The Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad al Qasimi Award Competition Track will feature 11 productions, while 4 performances will be presented in the Accompanying Shows Track. The selection committee was chaired by Dr Yousef Aidabi from Sudan and included distinguished members Dr Jabbar Judy from Iraq, Khaled Jalal from Egypt, Hazaa al Barari from Jordan, and Yousef al Hamdan from Bahrain.

Among the entries competing for the Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi Award are several standout productions. Oman’s ‘The Legend of the Frankincense Tree,’ adapted from the novel Mushka by Mohammed al Shahri and directed by Youssef al Balushi, represents the host country. Other notable entries include Tunisia’s ‘Al Bukhara,’ written by Sadek Trabelsi and Elias al Rabhi and directed by Sadek Trabelsi, as well as Jordan’s ‘The Refuge,’ written by Najib Naseer and Sawsan Darwaza and directed by Sawsan Darwaza. Productions from Bahrain, Qatar, Palestine, Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Egypt, and Morocco will also compete in this prestigious track.

The Accompanying Shows Track includes Saudi Arabia’s ‘Yellow Memory,’ written by Abbas al Haik and directed by Hassan al Ali, Syria’s ‘Countdown,’ directed by Samer al Faqir and Hanada al Sabbagh, Iraq’s ‘Lorca’s Women,’ directed by Awatif Naim, and Tunisia’s ‘Hajja (Gate 52),’ directed by Dalila Muftahi.

This year’s festival promises a diverse programme that highlights the depth and breadth of contemporary Arab theatre, providing a platform for cultural exchange and creative dialogue.