Basra: The Jikur Cultural Forum in Basra recently hosted an enlightening cultural session featuring the esteemed theatrical artist, Dr. Abdul Karim Aboud Al-Mubarak. This event, held at the Martyr Hindal Hall in the city center, gathered a keen audience of artists and cultural enthusiasts eager to explore the evolution of theatrical rehearsal techniques.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the session was skillfully moderated by poet Abdul Sada Al-Basri, who commenced by sharing an impressionistic overview of his relationship with Dr. Al-Mubarak, highlighting significant milestones in their shared journey through cultural and theatrical activities over the decades. Following this introduction, Dr. Al-Mubarak delved into the critical developments that have shaped theatrical rehearsal, both globally and within Basra. He drew attention to the contributions of Konstantin Stanislavski, whose attempts to create authentic performances by having actors immerse themselves in their characters’ inner lives have left a lasting impact on the theater world.
Dr. Al-Mubarak also shared his personal experiences with leading figures in Iraqi theater, discussing how their pioneering efforts have influenced the development of theatrical training. He touched upon the impactful careers of late artists such as Sami Abdul Hamid, Awni Karoumi, Hamid Saber, and Salah Al-Qasab, as well as the legacy of actor Samir Abdul Jabbar from the Th©Stre du Soleil in Paris.
The session further explored Dr. Al-Mubarak’s collaborative endeavors, including the founding of the Tawasul Theater Group in 2006 with the late artist Tariq Al-Adhari, and his experiences with the Palestinian Al-Hara Theater Group in Jordan. These ventures highlighted the role of theatrical creativity in reflecting societal struggles, particularly in war-torn regions, and demonstrated the powerful synergy achieved between Iraqi and Palestinian theatrical talents.
Currently, Dr. Al-Mubarak is engaged in directing a play by Jawad Al-Asadi titled “Forget Hamlet,” which utilizes innovative theatrical techniques and incorporates artificial intelligence in some scenes. This project, featuring a distinguished cast of academics and young actors, is poised for debut in Basra, with aspirations for national and international performances.
The session concluded with Dr. Al-Mubarak receiving a commemorative plaque from the forum’s management, accompanied by warm applause and expressions of gratitude from the attendees for the session’s success.