Arab theatre deserves attention

Sudanese actress receives achievement award Khartoum – Abedalgoum Ashmeag Sudanese stage star Faiza Amseeb has praised Qatar’s ruler, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed al-Qasimi, for his working in promoting Arab culture. The news comes after the Sudanese actress recently received a life achievement award from the Arab Authority for Theatre – an initiative run by Sheikh al-Qasimi – for her services to the industry. The awards ceremony took place in the Qatari capital, Doha, during the fifth annual Arab Theatre Festival held in January. Speaking to Arabstoday, Amseeb said: "It is crucial that we pay attention to Arab theatre and art and cultural issues." She thanked Sheikh al-Qasimi for creating the Arab Authority for Theatre, which aims at promoting and advancing the Arab stage through various programmes across the Arab world. Amseeb said the programme has given her the opportunity to meet with other Arab actresses.  Having started her stage career in 1970s Sudan, the actress told Arabstoday she's up for doing more theatre and described Sudanese theatre as "unique." "Sudanese theatre has presented exceptional stage productions throughout its long history, ranging from comedies to histories through social drama. It's a rich and varied stage which has succeeded in keeping a large audience," she said.  With Sudan's new theatre season kicking off in a matter of days, Amseeb said she is optimistic for its success. For the first time in her career, she is set to appear in productions off-Khartoum this season.  "It's vital for the theatre to get involved in society's issues and present constructive work that treat, or at least contribute to treating, some social issues and phenomena," she said. Amseeb’s latest play, Niqabat al-mutallaqat (The Divorcée's Union) is set to be staged in Sudan later this year.