"The Wall" Overture: Final Touches

Mufarrah Al-Shamri

Preparations for the opera “Al-Sour” are entering their final days, as director Abdullah Abdulrasoul continues his daily rehearsals with the participating artists, singers, and ensembles, putting the finishing touches on the work’s scenes ahead of its premiere on the stage of Al-Sour Theater on the 30th of this month.

Abdulrasoul, who oversees the theatrical vision, dramatic writing, and direction, in collaboration with poets Saher and Mubarak Al-Anzi on the lyrical poetry, is keen during rehearsals to attend to the small details before the large ones—from the artists’ movements and the timing of their entrances and exits to the ensembles’ harmony with the scenes and musical rhythm—in an effort to deliver a cohesive performance that carries its own spirit and presents the story in a way that resonates closely with the audience.

The opera brings together an elite group of artistic stars, including Ibrahim Al-Sallam, Suad Abdullah, Jasim Al-Nabhan, Muhammad Al-Mansour, Khalid Amin, Abdulaziz Al-Musallam, Tariq Al-Ali, Mona Shaddad, Yaqoob Abdullah, Khalid Al-Muzaffar, Muhammad Al-Dosari, Mitham Badr, Hussein Al-Haddad, Saud Boushahri, Haya Al-Saaid, and Hussein Al-Dawai, alongside students from the “Performing Arts Studio” at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center.

The musical component features the voices of Fawaz Al-Rajab, Abdulaziz Al-Misbah, Shahad Al-Amiri, and Khalifa Al-Amiri, forming, together with the other participants, an artistic state that unites acting, singing, and movement in a single performance.

As the premiere date approaches, ensemble rehearsals are intensifying, given their significant presence in the overall scene. Abdulrasoul places clear emphasis on them, viewing them as an integral part of the visual experience presented to the audience, rather than mere background for the scenes.

It is worth noting that the opera’s technical team includes Hassan Al-Mulla in scenography, Dr. Noura Al-Qumlas in musical direction, Walid Sultan in composition and arrangement, and Saud Al-Misfar in film scoring.

The team also includes Isa Al-Humair, Hussein Ali, Mubarak Al-Anzi, and Fahd Bin Hussein as assistant directors, Iman Al-Saif in costume design, Ahmad Al-Sallam in assistant scenographic design, and Sundus Al-Bati in accessory design, along with the movement performance teams and the technical crew.