The seventh theater festival for universities and higher education institutions in GCC countries began in Salalah, Oman, with the play "Paper Life," produced by Oman’s University of Technology and Applied Sciences. The play, written by Saad Emad Al-Wahyabi and directed by Muatasem Al-Rawahi, is based on a story by writer Sulaiman Al-Mamari. It revolves around the life of "Saeed," who discovers that his life stages are more associated with papers and documents than his personal desires and reality.
The play explores various stages of "Saeed’s" life, from his birth certificate and academic records to his job and human relationships. He finds writing as a means to express himself, and develops a relationship with "Latifa" through letters and literature. However, their relationship ends with a divorce paper, just like his job ends with a dismissal letter. The play highlights how "Saeed" realizes that each stage of his life starts and ends with a piece of paper.
As the story unfolds, "Saeed" understands that his life is controlled by papers and documents, which sometimes become a tool for judgment, disregarding his feelings and desires. The play concludes on a tragic note, criticizing bureaucracy and the use of certificates, documents, money, and written judgments as substitutes for human truth and emotions.
Following the performance, a critical session was held to discuss several issues related to theater, including the experience of "Paper Life" and its approach to the idea of papers and documents and their impact on human life. The discussion aimed to analyze the play’s themes and its relevance to contemporary society.
The seventh theater festival will continue in the coming days, featuring various theatrical performances and experiments presented by universities and higher education institutions from GCC countries. The event also includes accompanying activities that allow students to exchange experiences and theatrical experiments.
The festival provides a platform for students and institutions to showcase their talents and share their experiences in the field of theater. It aims to promote cultural exchange and understanding among GCC countries and foster the development of theater arts in the region.
The festival’s activities will include workshops, lectures, and discussions on various aspects of theater, providing participants with opportunities to learn from experts and enhance their skills. The event is expected to conclude with an award ceremony, honoring outstanding performances and contributions to the festival.
Key points
- The seventh theater festival in Oman features a play that critiques bureaucracy and the impact of documents on human life.
