What’s On

Starring: Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley, E. G. Marshall and Jack Warden. Directed by Sidney Lumet.

“12 Angry Men” is an American independent legal drama film directed by Sidney Lumet in his directorial debut, adapted from a 1954 teleplay of the same name. The plot centers on 12 jurors in a murder trial, tasked with deliberating a verdict that could mean the death penalty for the accused—a teenager from an inner-city neighborhood. The film is notable for its use of a single set, with the exception of the opening scene and a few brief shots. Nearly the entire story takes place inside the jury room, with just three minutes occurring outside of it.

The film was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay at the 30^th Academy Awards, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. The American Film Institute (AFI) ranked Juror 8, portrayed by Henry Fonda, as the 28^th greatest movie hero of the 20^th century. Additionally, AFI listed “12 Angry Men” as the 42^nd most inspiring film, and the 87^th greatest film of the past century.

Starring: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood and Eleanor Parker. Directed by: Robert Wise

“The Sound of Music” is a 1965 American musical film that held the title of the highest-grossing film in history for five years. Running nearly three hours, the movie was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won five, including Best Picture and Best Director.

The film is an adaptation of the 1959 stage musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, based on Maria von Trapp’s 1949 memoir “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers”. Set in Salzburg, Austria, it offers a fictionalized retelling of Maria’s experiences as governess to seven children, her marriage to Captain Georg von Trapp, and their escape during the 1938 Anschluss. The film’s stunning cinematography and unforgettable songs, including “My Favorite Things” and the title track, have made it an enduring classic.

Starring: Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce, and Bonnie Hunt. Directed by Joe Johnston.

Based on Chris Van Allsburg’s 1981 children’s book and directed by Joe Johnston, Jumanji tells the story of a magical board game that unleashes a world of adventure on siblings Peter and Judy Shepherd. While exploring an old mansion, they discover a mysterious jungle-themed game called Jumanji in the attic. Upon playing, they inadvertently free Alan Parrish (Robin Williams), who has been trapped inside the game’s world for decades.

The film, the first installment in the Jumanji series, received mixed reviews from critics but was a box office success, grossing 263 million dollars worldwide on a budget of approximately 65 million dollars. It was the tenth highest-grossing film of 1995. Despite aging special effects and pop culture references, Jumanji remains a thrilling adventure that continues to captivate audiences.

Starring: Toshiro Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Takashi Shimura, and Kamatari Fujiwara. Directed by Akira Kurosawa.

“Yojimbo” (1961) is a samurai film directed by the legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, who also co-wrote the screenplay and served as one of the producers. The film follows a nameless ronin, or masterless samurai, who arrives in a small village in feudal Japan, where two rival businessmen are battling for control of the local gambling trade. Each boss attempts to hire the ronin as a bodyguard, setting the stage for a complex power struggle.

Yojimbo received widespread critical acclaim and, over time, has come to be regarded as one of Kurosawa’s finest works and one of the greatest films ever made. The film was also the inspiration for Sergio Leone’s Spaghetti Western “A Fistful of Dollars” (1964).

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Marianne Koch, Wolfgang Lukschy, Gian Maria Volonté, and Bruno Carotenuto. Directed by Sergio Leone.

Celebrating its 60^th anniversary, Sergio Leone’s “A Fistful of Dollars”, released in 1964, defined a new era for the Western genre in Hollywood. The film not only popularized the “spaghetti western” subgenre but also marked a breakthrough for Italian director Sergio Leone and its star, Clint Eastwood.

The story follows the “Man with No Name,” a laconic gunslinger who drifts into the Mexican village of San Miguel, where a fierce power struggle rages between the three Rojo brothers and the town’s sheriff, John Baxter. When the Rojo brothers ambush a regiment of Mexican soldiers transporting gold for weapons, the stranger sees an opportunity to profit. He positions himself between the feuding factions, selling false information to both sides for his own gain.

The biggest show in the world in honour of the King of Pop. A Mega production with faithful reproduction of costumes and choreography.

The National Theatre hosts on 25 October a wonderful tribute to the King of Pop, “MICHAEL LIVES FOREVER”. Designed with attention to detail, this show was conceived, choreographed, and brought to life by Lavelle Smith Jr., the renowned choreographer who worked directly with Michael Jackson for over 25 years.

Brazilian artist Rodrigo Teaser was chosen to embody the role of the King of Pop, captivating audiences with his talent, energy, and live performances. This tribute concert has been recognized as the most authentic homage to Michael Jackson, even earning the endorsement of the artist’s family.

“Michael Lives Forever” is the longest-running and most successful Michael Jackson tribute show in the world, having garnered success with both audiences and critics, reaching approximately one million spectators.

Starring: Mahmoud El Meligy, Yehia Chahine, Hamdi Ahmed, Nagwa Ibrahim, Ezzat Al Alayli, Tawfiq El Dikn, Ali Al Sherif. Directed by: Youssef Chahine 

Egyptian drama, based on Abdel Rahman El-Sharkawy’s novel of the same title, with a screenplay by Hassan Fouad and directed by the internationally acclaimed Egyptian filmmaker Youssef Chahine. The film centers on the conflict between a feudal lord and peasants in 1930s Egypt. The feudal lord, Mahmoud Bey, uses his influence to secure a larger share of water for his lands, depriving the peasants of their limited resources. He also decides to construct a private road to his estate, expropriating peasant lands, including that of Abu Sweilem The conflict intensifies between the peasants and the Bey, who is supported by the English occupiers..

The film competed in the official competition of the Cannes International Film Festival in 1970 and is widely regarded as one of Chahine’s most enduring classics. In 1996, during the centennial celebration of Egyptian cinema, it was ranked second on the list of the 100 best films in Egyptian cinema history.

A musical journey exploring our rich heritage and its celebrated stars, performed by the choir and musical ensemble under the direction of conductor Dr Khaled Noori.

Kuwaiti music has long been defined by its rich melodies, rhythms, and lyrics, from its origins in the 19^th century to the present day. Its enduring success lies in its evolution across generations, avoiding stagnation in a single style or melody. Instead, it has embraced diversity, staying contemporary while maintaining its local authenticity and distinctive character.

In this concert, taking place at Sheikh Jaber Al-Ali Concert Hall on 28 October, we embark on an exciting journey through 100 years of Kuwaiti music. We will revisit the most beloved songs that have left an indelible mark on the hearts of Kuwaiti and Khaleeji audiences, performed by the choir and musical ensemble led by conductor Dr Khaled Noori.

A New Concert Coming in October, Featuring the Powerful Voice of Egyptian Singer Mai Farouk, Performing the Best of Arabic Songs.

The National Theatre will once again host Egyptian star Mai Farouk on 31 October, as she presents a selection of the most beautiful Arabic songs and other beloved tunes eagerly awaited by her Kuwaiti audience. Farouk’s concerts, performed in previous seasons, have been among our most successful musical nights, drawing lovers of Arabic music who come together to enjoy her powerful, emotional voice and her exquisite covers of songs by the legendary Umm Kulthum. and other prominent Arab singers.

Mai Farouk’s strong voice and a unique singing style have placed her among the leading singers of the Arab world. She began her musical journey at an early age, joining the children’s choir at the Egyptian Opera House. When she first appeared on the stage, she was not yet eight years old. Mai has steadily pursued her musical career, releasing several albums and singles, the latest being “Aftakerlak Eih” in 2023, which achieved great success on YouTube and topped Google search trends.

Featuring renowned keynote speaker Steven Bartlett, bestselling author and host of the popular podcast “Diary of a CEO”, visiting Kuwait for the first time.

For the first time, the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre hosts in November the National Leadership Conference 2024, held by the National Leadership Institute (NLI). Under the Patronage of the Minister of Finance, this event, titled “Breaking Barriers II: Strong Mind, Strong Body, Strong Leader” will feature, for the first time in Kuwait, the renowned keynote speaker, bestselling author, and No. 1 podcast host of “Diary of a CEO” Steven Bartlett.

The event will also include interactive sessions from top international and local speakers, exhibitions and unparalleled networking opportunities. Speakers will include Faisal AlAgel (Bidoon Waraq), Dr Mariam AlAwadhi (Renowned Psychiatrist) and Dr Dalal AlHomaizi (Renowned Psychologist).

The conference will take place on November 5^th from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the Drama Theatre, aiming to inspire and empower both current and future leaders by promoting holistic well-being for effective leadership. The National Leadership Conference 2024 is an annual event that brings together industry leaders, experts, and innovators to explore the crucial connections between mental resilience, physical health, and leadership, providing a unique platform for leadership development and personal growth.

The famous Egyptian superstar, dubbed “The Voice of Egypt,” will return to the National Theater for the second year in a row, performing her best songs in a beautiful musical evening.

Fans of the Egyptian superstar Angham are eagerly awaiting a special evening this November, as the beloved singer, known as “The Voice of Egypt,” graces the stage of the National Theatre. Angham, who earned this title for her warm voice, deep emotions, contemporary songs, and prolific releases, will present a selection of her finest hits.

Additionally, she will perform songs from her new album Tigi Nseeb, released at the end of last July, marking her return to album releases after a four-year hiatus, during which she only released singles.