What’s On

An exceptional musical evening celebrating the journey of the distinguished Kuwaiti poet, featuring performances by singers Bader Nouri, Faisal Al Saad, and Fahad Al-Salem, accompanied by the musical ensemble under the direction of conductor Dr Khaled Noori.

The name of the renowned Kuwaiti poet Bader Bouresli has been associated with some of the most beautiful songs in the history of Kuwaiti music. Since his debut in the 1960s, his prolific career has spanned hundreds of works performed by legendary singers of Kuwait and the Gulf, including Abdul Karim Abdul Qader, Mohammed Abdou, Abdullah Al-Ruwaished, Nawal, Ghareed Al Shati’, and many more. His lyrics have been diverse, reflecting the sincere and impactful Kuwaiti voice in both romantic and patriotic songs, as well as his contributions to television and theatrical operettas.

In this exceptional evening, hosted by the National Theatre on Wednesday, December 4, we honour our esteemed poet in a musical night that he will attend in person. The event will feature a selection of his most beloved songs, performed by singers Bader Nouri, Faisal Al Saad, and Fahad Al-Salem, accompanied by the musical ensemble led by conductor Dr Khaled Noori. The evening will also include intriguing stories about these songs, shared by the esteemed poet himself for the first time, in a new creative vision.

For the third consecutive year, we welcome the beloved singer Salman Al-Ammari, accompanied by the Al-Mass Folklore Group, presenting songs from the rich Kuwaiti and Khaleeji musical heritage.

In the first week of December, the Jalsat (musical gatherings) return to the Amphitheatre, beginning with a new concert on the evening of Thursday, 5 December, featuring the distinguished singer Salman Al-Ammari and the Al-Mass Folklore Group. Al-Ammari’s performances are celebrated for showcasing authentic Kuwaiti folk music forms- such as Sawt, Samri, Khammari, Qadri, and others- in the true spirit of traditional musical gatherings.

Salman Al-Ammari held his first concert with the Al-Mass Folklore Group at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ali Concert Hall in November 2022, followed by a second concert at the Amphitheatre in February 2023. Both events were highly successful, with audiences delighting in cherished Kuwaiti and Khaleeji songs, performed by Al-Ammari in traditional styles that keep our rich heritage alive in the hearts of younger generations.

Starring: Hitoshi Omika, Ryo Nishikawa, Ryuji Kosaka and Ayaka Shibutani. Written and Directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi.

With a cast of non-professional actors, the film follows Takumi and his daughter Hana, who live in a village near Tokyo surrounded by stunning natural landscapes. One day, the villagers learn about a plan to build a campsite near Takumi’s home, a project that threatens their fragile water system and poses other environmental consequences.

The film was selected to compete at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize and the FIPRESCI Award from the International Federation of Film Critics. It also received the Best Film Award at the 2023 BFI London Film Festival.

Hamaguchi first garnered widespread attention for his talents as a screenwriter and director with his film “Drive My Car”, an adaptation of a short story by acclaimed Japanese author Haruki Murakami. The film won the Best Screenplay Award at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, ultimately winning Best International Feature Film in 2022. Hamaguchi is the third Japanese director in history to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Director.

Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard and Catherine O’Hara. Directed by Chris Columbus.

An iconic Christmas movie, “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” is the sequel to the 1990 classic “Home Alone” and the second instalment in the beloved franchise. The story follows Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), who loses track of his father at the airport and mistakenly boards a plane to New York City while the rest of his family flies to Florida. Alone in the Big Apple, Kevin cleverly secures a room at the Plaza Hotel and embarks on his usual mischievous adventures. When he learns that the infamous Sticky Bandits (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) are plotting to rob a toy store owned by a kind elderly man, Kevin sets out to thwart their plans just in time for Christmas.

Despite being a sequel, “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” has solidified its status as a holiday classic. While many fans consider the first film superior, there’s no denying that New York City provides a more dazzling setting. Filmed across iconic locations in Chicago and New York, the movie captures the charm of two of the world’s most vibrant cities. Memorable scenes unfold at the prestigious Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue and the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York, while the exterior of Duncan’s Toy Chest is the Rookery Building in Chicago. The luxurious Conrad Hilton Suite, also in Chicago, adds to the movie’s allure. Packed with entertaining sequences from start to finish, “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” remains a festive favourite for audiences of all ages.

Starring: Abou Sangare, Nina Meurisse and Alpha Oumar. Co-written and Directed by Boris Lojkine.

L’histoire de Souleymane (Souleymane’s Story) is a 2024 French film directed by Boris Lojkine. It premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where it won two awards. The film follows Souleymane, a recent Guinean immigrant navigating the streets of Paris as he prepares for his asylum application interview while working as a bicycle delivery rider. As Souleymane tirelessly pedals through the city delivering meals, he rehearses a story that isn’t his own (he’s been advised to declare himself a political dissident to secure asylum), but he struggles to embrace this false narrative.

With a documentary-like style, Boris Lojkine illuminates the lives of individuals often overlooked despite being part of our everyday surroundings. The director meticulously captures the details of Souleymane’s daily routine and the harsh realities faced by undocumented migrants. Yet, Souleymane’s resilience stands out, brought to life through the outstanding debut performance of Abou Sangaré. His deeply moving portrayal earned him the Best Actor Award in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, while Lojkine received the Special Jury Prize. The film has garnered international acclaim, earning multiple nominations, including several Best Actor nods for Sangaré, who won the award at the Gijón International Film Festival.

The Lebanese star will meet his audience next December in a new concert, where he will perform a selection of his finest romantic works.

After a long time away from his fans in Kuwait, Lebanese superstar Marwan Khoury returns for a concert on Thursday 12 December. He will enchant the audience with a collection of his most beautiful romantic songs, including those he has performed himself and those he has composed for others. Marwan holds a special place in the hearts of Kuwaiti audiences; his first two concerts in Kuwait, held in November 2019, were hugely successful, prompting the Centre’s management to extend the event for an additional night due to popular demand.

Marwan Khoury is a truly exceptional and unique musical talent, having carved a distinctive path for himself to become a prominent name in Arabic music. He has produced many successful works, with his compositions performed by pop stars across the Arab world. Known for his versatility, Marwan is not only a singer and a composer but also a lyricist, and the host of the television show Tarab, where he invites renowned singers to discuss music and share performances, often joining them in singing or playing the piano.

Starring: Essam Omar, Rakeen Saad, Ahmed Bahaa, Samaa Ibrahim and Rambo Brothers. Co-written and Directed by Khaled Mansour.

Premiering at the 81st Venice Film Festival, this film marked a significant return for Egyptian cinema to the prestigious festival. It tells the story of Hassan and his dog, Rambo, as they embark on a journey to save Rambo from Hassan’s vengeful landlord, whom the dog has attacked. As Hassan traverses Cairo in search of a safe haven for Rambo, he is forced to confront his past fears and, in doing so, rediscovers himself.

“Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo” marks Khaled Masour’s debut feature film after directing two short films and mini videos. It is not a film about extreme violence against dogs, explains the director, but rather an exploration of the younger generation’s complex relationship with society. The film delves into a paradoxical connection—a mix of intense love and fear intertwined with hate. “In this relationship, we often feel pursued in our own city like stray dogs. At the same time, we do not know any other haven to belong to,” the director notes.

Starring: Tilda Swinton, George MacKay, Moses Ingram, Bronagh Gallagher, Tim McInnerny and Michael Shannon. Co-written and Directed by Joshua Oppenheimer.

An apocalyptic musical film directed and co-written by Joshua Oppenheimer, The End is produced by Oppenheimer, Signe Byrge Sørensen, and Tilda Swinton. The film stars Swinton alongside a diverse ensemble cast. It premiered at the 51st Telluride Film Festival on 31 August 2024 and is set for release in the United States on 6 December 2024.

The story follows a wealthy family living in an underground bunker two decades after contributing to the world’s destruction.

A journey through 100 years of Egyptian films with popular songs by legendary singers, performed by Marwa Nagy, Nidaa Sharara, and Khalaf Al-Mashaouf, accompanied by the musical ensemble under the direction of conductor Dr Ihab Abdel Hamid. 

Since its early days, Egyptian cinema has been closely intertwined with musical films, as prominent singers of the time often starred in them, using cinema as an additional platform to promote their songs. Icons such as Umm Kulthum, Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Sabah, Farid Al-Atrash, Mohamed Fawzi and others created popular films and timeless songs for nearly three decades. By the late 1960s, songs began to fade from films, only to reemerge later—this time not through actors or renowned singers, but more closely tied to the film’s dramatic context.

The “Sound of Cinema” concert, taking place at the National Theatre in December, invites audiences on a magical journey through 100 years of Egyptian cinema. It showcases timeless songs by legends including Umm Kulthum, Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Abdel Halim Hafez, Warda, and Shadia, alongside modern hits by pop stars like Sherine Abdel Wahab and Hussain Al Jassmi. These popular songs will be brought to life by Marwa Nagy, Nidaa Sharara, and Khalaf Al-Mashaouf, accompanied by the musical ensemble under the direction of conductor Dr Ihab Abdel Hamid.

Strarring: Lee Pace, Catinca Untaru, and Justine Waddell. Co-written and Directed by Tarsem Singh. 

The Fall is an adventure-fantasy film produced, co-written, and directed by Tarsem Singh. It is a monumental production that filmed over four years in 28 breathtaking locations across multiple continents, with dazzling costumes designed by Academy Award® winner Eiko Ishioka, THE FALL remains one of the most gorgeous films ever made, a genre-defying cult classic like no other. Completed in 2006 but not released in cinemas until 2008, it features one of Lee Pace’s earliest and most artistic roles. While the film received mixed reviews and was a box office failure upon release, it has since gained recognition for its visual artistry and limited distribution, remaining absent from streaming platforms for years.

In July 2024, the streaming service Mubi acquired select distribution rights to a 4K restoration, which premiered at the Locarno Film Festival before streaming globally on September 27, 2024. A visually stunning exploration of themes such as falling from grace, addiction, friendship, and love, The Fall earned critical acclaim over time, appearing on several top-ten lists of the best films of 2008.

Set in 1915 Los Angeles, the story follows Roy Walker, a stuntman hospitalized and possibly paralyzed after a dangerous film stunt. While recovering, he befriends Alexandria, a young Romanian girl with a broken arm. To entertain her, Roy begins narrating a fantastical story about Alexander the Great story, inspired by her name. And he promises her more epic tales if she returns. As Roy’s narrative unfolds, Alexandria’s vivid imagination transforms his words into a breathtaking fantasy world.

Enjoy an enchanting evening featuring medleys from Kuwaiti, Khaleeji, and Arabic songs, performed by the choir and guest artist Jassem Bin Thani, accompanied by the musical ensemble under the direction of Dr Mohammed Al-Buaijan.

Following the success of last season’s Medley concert, which captivated audiences with the exceptional performances of iconic songs by the choir and talented musicians, we bring back the experience in December. This year’s concert features a rich repertoire of Kuwaiti, khaleeji, and Arabic classics, seamlessly blended into a medley of melodies, harmonies, and rhythms.

Hosted at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ali Music Hall on 25-26 December, the event will also spotlight guest artist Jassem Bin Thani, performing a tribute to the late Kuwaiti legend Abdul Karim Abdul Qader. The programme offers a vibrant showcase of Kuwaiti folk arts and hits from the golden age of kaleeji music to contemporary favourites, along with timeless songs by legendary 20^th-century artists such as Umm Kulthum, Abdel Halim Hafez, Fairuz, and many more.

The National Theatre once again hosts the Saudi artist Abadi Al-Johar, to perform his beloved songs, accompanied by his oud and the musical ensemble under the direction of conductor Amir Abdel-Megeed.

In December, the Saudi artist Abadi Al-Johar, renowned as the Master of the Oud, returns to the National Theatre on 27 December after a long absence. With his oud in hand, he will perform a selection of his most beloved songs in the concert Abadi and His Oud, alongside the musical ensemble led by Maestro Amir Abdel-Megeed. A regular guest at the National Theatre, the Saudi singer meets his Kuwaiti audience annually during the Kuwait February Festival. His last performance at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Centre, in February 2022, featured a repertoire of his most popular songs and exceptional oud solos.

Renowned for his melancholic voice and a playing style that bridges emotion and mastery on the oud, Abadi Al-Johar has composed numerous songs for prominent Arab artists, including Talal Maddah, Nagat Al-Saghira, Samira Said, and Assala Nasri. He has also performed lyrics by some of the region’s most celebrated poets, such as Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prince Badr bin Abdulmohsen, Prince Abdulrahman bin Musaid, Fayeq Abduljalil, Talal Al-Rasheed, and many others.

A musical evening celebrating the most renowned Yemeni and Khaleeji traditional and contemporary melodies, presented with a global flair by an orchestra seamlessly combining Western and traditional instruments, under the direction of conductor Mohamed Al-Ghoom. 

Following the immense success of last season’s event, “The Hadhrami Orchestra”, which uniquely showcased Yemeni and Khaleeji melodies in a groundbreaking experience led by Yemeni composer Mohamed Al-Ghoom, we proudly present “The Hadrami Music: Cultural Roots, Global Harmony” this January. The concert will feature a new selection of Yemeni melodies, widely regarded as the foundation of Khaleeji music, performed in an innovative global style that unites Western orchestral instruments with traditional ones as part of the Heritage Symphonies project.

Founded in 2019 by Yemeni composer Mohamed Al-Ghoom, “The Heritage Symphonies” is a cultural initiative dedicated to promoting and showcasing folk music by integrating traditional styles and instruments into orchestral performances. Al-Ghoom’s dream was to share Yemen’s rich musical heritage, particularly the Hadhrami arts, with the world. The project debuted with a landmark concert in Malaysia in 2019, titled “Hope from the Depths of Pain”, featuring six compositions inspired by Hadrami Yemeni music. This was followed by acclaimed performances at the Cairo Opera House in 2022 (A Yemeni Melody on the Nile), in Paris in 2023 (A Yemeni Melody in Paris), and further concerts in Doha, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait in February 2024. Each performance masterfully combines Yemeni melodies with traditional instruments and a full Western orchestra, creating a captivating fusion of heritage and modernity.