Baghdad –INA
Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities announced on Friday that the 2026 theater season will feature approximately 20 theatrical productions addressing societal issues with a sense of national responsibility.
Taha Al-Mashhadani, director of the Iraqi National Theater Troupe at the Ministry of Culture, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that “the 2026 season program includes between 15 and 20 theatrical productions, in addition to cultural seminars on theater covering topics such as scenography, acting, writing, directing, lighting techniques, soundtrack music, and set design.”
He added that “the productions seek to reflect the suffering and concerns of the public through engaging theatrical language. The necessary production plan has been completed and submitted to the ministry through the Theater Department at the Cinema and Theater Directorate.”
Al-Mashhadani noted that “the National Theater Troupe has consistently taken the lead in presenting carefully selected theatrical performances with artistic and cultural awareness, helping bridge the gap between audiences and serious theater by choosing works that address social issues with committed national responsibility.”
He pointed out that “the troupe has presented five productions produced by the Theater Forum and is currently preparing to stage the play Sharqi Athabat (Eastern Sufferings), featuring myself along with artists Aziz Khayoun, Baha Khayoun, Amir Ihsan, and Israa Rifaat.”
He added that “the playwright, Majid Matrood, and the director, Hassan Khayoun, are Iraqi expatriates who have lived in Brussels, Belgium, for more than 20 years.”
