The Centre for Theatre Affairs, which is part of the Ministry of Culture, organised the 37th Doha Theatre Festival in co-operation with the Qatar Events Centre, featured the play Drowning at the YouView Theatre.The performance of the play Drowning, written by Taleb al-Dous and directed by Mohammed al-Balam, and produced by the Al-Watan Theatre Group, conveyed a message about illegal immigration.The play opened with a scene of characters lost at sea, setting the stage for the audience to experience a state of psychological tension that gradually escalates with each scene.The dialogue between the characters was laden with nostalgia and fear, but also with contemplation and doubt.They are not two-dimensional figures – they are "real” people who differ in their motivations, attitudes, and perceptions of homeland, the future, and dignity.This gave the play a distinct psychological depth, especially when the discussion among the passengers turns into an intellectual struggle over the meaning of survival: Is it physical survival? Preserving dignity? Or escaping the daily death in one’s homeland?Director al-Ballam demonstrated a remarkable ability to transform the stage into a volatile emotional space, where the lighting (with its cold and shifting shades) and sound effects played a significant role in creating visual and aural tension.The stage appeared like a small boat on a stage, moving without actually moving, thanks only to the harmony of the performance, lighting, and sound.The cast distinguished themselves with deep performances, based not only on emotion, but also on a clear internal structure for each character.The psychological struggles of each immigrant were clearly revealed: with emotions shifting from regret to nostalgia, to fear, and to a sense of futility.
May 25, 2025 | 01:34 AM