38th Doha Theatre Festival to open with plays by Qatari amateur groups

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

The 38th Doha Theatre Festival will open on June 21 at the Al Mayassa Theatre, featuring performances by local amateur groups along with workshops and daily bulletins to engage audiences and critics. As the region's longest-running theatre festival, it continues to promote Qatar’s cultural development and will conclude with an awards ceremony and the release of an annual festival book honoring late Qatari artists.

The 38th Doha Theatre Festival is set to open on June 21 at the Al Mayassa Theatre within the Qatar National Convention Centre, running through June 24. Organised by the Theatre Affairs Centre under the Ministry of Culture, the festival will showcase theatrical performances primarily from Qatari amateur theatre groups and feature a variety of associated critical and documentary activities.

Performances will begin each evening at 8:30 p.m. and include three plays by local amateur groups. The Doha Theatre Group will present “Under the Rubble,” written by Yasser al-Hassan and directed by Faleh Fayez. The Qatar Theatre Group will stage “The Dividing City,” penned by Talib al-Doss and directed by Mohammed Yousef al-Mulla. Meanwhile, the Al Watan Theatre Group will perform “The Black Heel,” both written and directed by Shua’il al-Kuwari.

Following each performance, workshops will be held where critics, specialists, and theatre enthusiasts can engage with the creators to discuss the productions. In addition, a daily bulletin will be published throughout the festival, offering reviews, critical commentary, behind-the-scenes insights, and interviews with participants, providing a comprehensive overview of the theatrical offerings and the wider Qatari arts scene.

The festival’s closing ceremony and awards presentation are scheduled for 8 p.m. on June 24 at Dukhan Hall Theatre, located within the Ministry of Culture’s premises.

Coinciding with the festival, the Theatre Affairs Centre will release its annual festival book. This publication highlights the Centre’s key activities and events throughout 2026 and includes a tribute to four late Qatari artists and theatre figures: artist Mohammed al-Balm, director Talal al-Siddiqi, Dr. Ahmed Abdulmalik, and artist Khalifa Jumaan. The tribute honours their lasting contributions to Qatar’s cultural development.

As the region’s longest-running and most prestigious theatre festival, the 38th Doha Theatre Festival continues to reinforce its role in enriching Qatar’s cultural landscape, offering a platform that reflects the nation’s artistic growth and aligns with the evolving aspirations of its audiences.