Doha: The 38th Doha Theatre Festival, organized by the Theatre Affairs Center under the Ministry of Culture, is set to open on Sunday evening and continue for four days, bringing together amateur theatre groups in a celebration of creativity, performance, and cultural expression.
Hosted at the Al Mayassa Theatre within the Qatar National Convention Centre, the festival will feature three theatrical productions competing for top honors.
The opening performance, “Under the Rubble,” will be presented by the Doha Theatre Group. Written by Yasser Al Hassan and directed by Faleh Fayez, the play marks the start of this year’s competition program.
On Monday evening, audiences will attend “The Dividing City,” produced by the Qatar Theatre Group. The play is written by Talib Al Dous and directed by Mohammed Yousef Al Mulla.
The festival’s final competing production, “The Black Heel,” will be staged by the Al Watan Theatre Group on Tuesday, June 23. The play is written and directed by Shuaib Al Kuwari.
The festival will conclude with an awards ceremony and closing celebration at 8:00 PM on Wednesday, June 24, at the Dukhan Hall Theatre in the Ministry of Culture building.
In addition to the performances, the festival will host daily post-show workshops featuring theatre critics and specialists who will engage with playwrights, directors, and performers in discussions examining the artistic and technical aspects of the productions. A daily bulletin documenting the festival’s activities and highlights will also be published.
Coinciding with the festival’s 38th edition, the Theatre Affairs Center will release its annual festival book, highlighting the center’s most notable activities and achievements throughout 2026.
This year’s publication includes a special tribute to four distinguished Qatari theatre and cultural figures whose contributions left a lasting impact on the country’s artistic landscape: Mohammed Al Balm, Talal Al Siddiqi, Dr. Ahmed Abdulmalik, and Khalifa Jumaan. The tribute recognizes their enduring legacy and service to Qatar’s cultural and theatrical movement.
As the oldest and first theatre festival in the region, the Doha Theatre Festival continues to play a pivotal role in enriching Qatar’s cultural scene, nurturing theatrical talent, and presenting audiences with meaningful and innovative artistic experiences.
