New issue of Al Masrah magazine highlights global theatre

January 08, 2026 / 11:21 AM

Sharjah24: The Sharjah Department of Culture has released issue No. 76 of Al Masrah magazine, the monthly publication dedicated to theatre and the performing arts, offering readers a rich selection of articles, reviews, interviews, and critical follow-ups on theatrical activity in Sharjah, the Arab world, and internationally.

In its opening section, the magazine offers in-depth coverage of the ninth edition of the Sharjah Desert Theatre Festival, held from 12–17 December under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The festival opened with Al Buraq and Layla Al Afifa, both written by His Highness and performed by the Sharjah National Theatre.

The same section also features reflections from local artists on the cultural and artistic impact of the 11th Khorfakkan Theatre Festival.

Critical readings and global perspectives

In the “Readings” section, contributors examine contemporary productions that explore the intersection of theatre, technology, and artificial intelligence. Other sections include travelogues, book reviews, and essays on theatre as a space for truth, experimentation, and the development of children’s theatre.

Interviews and Arab theatre landscape

The issue features interviews with leading theatre researchers and playwrights, alongside a wide-ranging survey of Arab theatrical movements in 2025, highlighting developments in the UAE, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Lebanon, and Iraq.