Young professional companies dominate the official competition of the 26th National Theatre Festival, under way in Tetouan under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.<\/p>\n
Ten plays are competing this year, down from twelve last time. Festival director Yassin Ahijam put the drop down to a thinner crop of new productions at the start of the season.<\/p>\n
Several contenders are appearing in the competition for the first time, among them writers and directors. “Cerclage” was written by Mohamed Amine Atrarwa and directed by Rabie Ben Jahil al-Tadawi, with scenography by Yassin Bra’eesh. Khaled Azouichi, taking part for the third year running, directs “Al Bahriya wal Raddad”, written by Hamid al-Talbi with scenography by Aya Harush.<\/p>\n
“Dabab” brings together young names known from film and television: written by Ayoub Abu al-Nasr and directed by Mariam al-Za’imi, with scenography by Abd al-Hay al-Saghrounchi. Playwright Ahmed al-Sabi’a wrote “Amr”, directed by Youssef al-Aroubi.<\/p>\n
Amine Boudriqua, a previous winner of the national prize, wrote, directed and designed “Three Eyes and a Cat”. Casablanca director Sami Saadallah presents “Sah Zine”, written by Abd al-Majid Saadallah with scenography by Yassin al-Zawi. Mohamed Amine al-Sahel, already a past winner of the competition, returns with “Dalam”, while veteran director Amine Nassour stages “Al Masaad”, designed by Tariq al-Rabi’.<\/p>\n