Veteran Bahraini stage director and actor Abdullah Al Saadawi passed away on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the age of 76. Known for his significant contributions to the Gulf theatrical movement, Al Saadawi played an influential role in shaping the experiences of playwrights in Bahrain and the wider Gulf region.

Abdullah Al Saadawi is one of the pioneers of the Gulf theatrical movement who influenced a generation of playwrights in Bahrain and other GCC countries. His work is characterized by diversity, innovation, and a unique artistic vision that combines elements from Arab and international theatrical traditions. He played a key role in fostering openness and creativity within the Gulf theatrical landscape.

Born in Bahrain in 1948, Al Saadawi, a critic, actor, director and playwright, embarked on his artistic journey in 1964, embracing international theatrical compositions.

Al Saadawi achieved recognition early in his career, securing the directing award at the Cairo Experimental Festival for his play “The Gag.” As a founding member of the Al Sawary Theatre, he contributed significantly to the development of theatrical arts in the region.

One of his notable early experiences involved the play titled “The Donkey and the Guillotine of Execution”, which he wrote. The play, directed by artist Jamal Al Saqr under the title “An Author Lost in Himself”. In 1970, he joined the Al Ittihad Al Shaabi Troupe in the city of Muharraq, where he participated in the troupe’s debut play, “Antigone”.

In 1975, he traveled to Qatar, where he co-founded El Sadd Theatre, with Qatari artist Ghanem Al Sulaiti and other artists. Al Saadawi then moved to the UAE where he co-founded the Sharjah Theatre with a group of Emirati artists. In the UAE, he met Iraqi artist Ibrahim Jalal, who influenced Al Saadawi’s artistic journey.

Al Saadawi directed several theatrical works, including ‘Men and the Sea’, ‘The Two Friends’, ‘Hostages’, ‘Nightmare’, ‘The Gag’, ‘Innocent Child’, ‘The Catastrophe’, and ‘My Fanatic Son’. He also directed the film titled ‘The Tree Whose Leaves Stolen’, ‘Dust’, ‘Where is the Road’, and ‘The Second Sky’.