What’s On

Acclaimed Egyptian singer takes us on a musical journey told through song, from Sayed Darwish to the present day, accompanied by a traditional ensemble conducted by maestro George Kolta.

The upcoming cultural season welcomes several stars making their first appearances on our stages, among them Egyptian singer Mohamed Mohsen, renowned for amazing voice. On 24 September, Mohsen makes his Centre debut at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ali Concert Hall with “Al Maghna Hayat Al Rouh” (Music, the Life of the Soul) concert, accompanied by a traditional ensemble conducted by George Kolta.

The talented Egyptian singer will perform a selection of classics that have shaped the musical memory of generations for more than a century, in an evening celebrating the heritage of Arabic music through the voice of one of the leading singers of his generation.

Alongside his successful original albums and singles, Mohamed Mohsen has distinguished himself through his passion for reviving the Arabic musical heritage and presenting it in a classical style that preserves its spirit and character. In his first encounter with audiences at the Centre, he takes us on a musical journey told through songs, from Sayed Darwish to the present day, exploring the connection between songs, melodies and life, while sharing some of the stories behind these cherished classics.

Experience the iconic film with a live orchestral performance of its legendary score by the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Nicolas Mann.

This season, the National Theatre hosts an unforgettable cinematic experience on 25 September, “Batman 1989 in concert”, featuring the first film in the legendary Batman series, where Tim Burton’s iconic world meets Danny Elfman’s enchanting music, screened with a live performance by the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Nicolas Mann.

The film tells the story of the Dark Knight in Gotham City as he wages war on crime and confronts his first major enemy, Jack Napier, whose transformation into The Joker unleashes a new wave of chaos. Premiered on 23 June 1989, Batman topped the box office in its release year and has remained a fan favourite around the world for more than three decades. The film marked Danny Elfman’s third collaboration with Tim Burton, and an important one, earning the score a Grammy nomination, while the iconic “Batman Theme” became a globally recognised piece that continues to evoke the Dark Knight across generations.

The Lebanese star meets the Centre’s audience for the first time, accompanied by a large musical ensemble conducted by renowned maestro Hani Farhat.

Beloved Lebanese star Elissa opens an eventful October at the Centre as we mark our 10^th anniversary with a season of special celebrations. In a long-awaited concert, she takes to the National Theatre stage for the first time on Friday, 2 October. Despite her extensive musical career, which began in the late 1990s, Elissa has never performed at any of the Centre’s venues since its opening. For this special concert, she will be accompanied by a large musical ensemble conducted by renowned maestro Hani Farhat.

In her upcoming concert, the acclaimed singer, known for her emotive style, will perform a selection of her most beloved songs, alongside tracks from her latest album, “Ana Sekketen”, released in 2024. The concert also marks Elissa’s return to Kuwait after an absence, with her last performance in the country taking place in the summer of 2023.

A piano recital featuring a selection of renowned classical works, performed by Dr Kholoud Abdulsalam.

The piano is considered one of the greatest instruments in classical music, capable of conveying the deepest emotions while embodying both power and delicacy. Combining technical command with emotional sensitivity, it offers a remarkable range of musical expression. In “Whispers of the Keys”, presented at the Recital Hall on 3 October, audiences are invited to an exceptional evening with Dr Kholoud Abdulsalam, who holds a PhD in Piano, as she performs a selection of international works.

The programme focuses on different phases of the Romantic era and its various phases, spanning the nineteenth century through the early twentieth century, featuring compositions by Brahms, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Glinka and Debussy. The diversity of these selections reflects the performer’s deep musical expertise, artistic maturity and high professional standard, offering the audience an enjoyable evening of refined classical music.

The Music School – October Term
The new term of the Music School begins from 7-31 October, with classes every Saturday and Wednesday.

The new term of the Music School begins on 7 October and runs until 31 October, with classes every Saturday and Wednesday. The School welcomes participants aged 14 and above and offers both individual and group classes under the guidance of a distinguished team of academic specialists in a wide range of Eastern and Western instruments, in addition to Arabic singing, vocal training, and operatic and international singing. The School also offers intensive courses in selected instruments.

The course consists of eight 50-minute training sessions and includes eight solfège classes (music notation reading), held at 6:00 PM for all students, except those enrolled in Arabic singing and guitar. The programme also includes a lecture on music culture and history.

For registration and more information, please visit JACC website or mobile app.

Our most successful productions returns with an enhanced directorial vision by Jassim Al-Qames, accompanied by a large musical ensemble conducted by Dr Khaled Noori.

Starting 12 October, the National Theatre welcomes back “The Eighties… The Knockout”, a special highlight of the Centre’s 10^th anniversary celebrations. The production ranked among the Centre’s most popular and acclaimed shows, produced by the Centre or hosted at the National Theatre and numerous theatres across the Gulf. Audiences have repeatedly called for its return, despite the show having already been staged three times in previous seasons.

The show takes us on an exciting journey into the vibrant world of the 1980s television and its rich repertoire. This time, the production returns with an enhanced directorial vision by Jassim Al-Qames, accompanied by a large musical ensemble conducted by Dr Khaled Noori. “The Eighties… The Knockout” will be the final opportunity to experience this remarkable production in a new way whether you missed it before or have already seen it!

Another evening with the beloved singer, celebrating rhythms that have passed from one generation to the next while remaining deeply rooted in our hearts.

Following the success of “Samri and Qadri with Tareq Al-Khurayef” last season, we were keen to give Kuwaiti musical heritage a special place in this celebratory season, particularly in October as we mark the Centre’s 10th anniversary. On 19 October, Tareq Al-Khurayef returns to the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ali Concert Hall for another evening of Samri and Qadri that celebrates some of the Kuwaiti and khaleeji folk music.

Moving between the captivating rhythms of Samri and the soulful, tarab-filled spirit of Qadri, Al-Khurayef will perform a wide selection of songs we enjoyed generation after generation, in an atmosphere that evokes the gatherings and evenings of old Kuwait and the authentic rhythms associated with them.

A poetry evening with Kuwaiti poet Fahad Al-Adwani, presenting a selection of his new poems alongside some of his most celebrated works.

Poetry has long been regarded as the register of the Arabs, with its evenings reviving memories of the great poets across eras. On Wednesday, 21 October, the Recital Hall hosts the first poetry evening of the season, welcoming the renowned Kuwaiti poet Fahad Al-Adwani. Known as the “Poet of Romance,” Al-Adwani’s work is distinguished by its lyrical language and emotional sincerity. Love, longing, and human emotion are ever-present in his poetry, expressed in a tender style that speaks directly to the heart.

In this evening, titled “Sahabet Kaif”, the name of one of his anthologies, Al-Adwani will share a selection of his latest poems, revealing personal and emotional experiences through his signature voice, alongside familiar works, in an intimate encounter marked by warmth, emotion, and genuine connection with the audience.

The famous British band returns to Kuwait for two concerts as part of its 25th anniversary world tour.

Following the success of their first concerts in Kuwait in April 2025, the members of the famous British band “Blue”; Antony Costa, Duncan James, Lee Ryan and Simon Webbe, are keeping their promise to return to their fans at the National Theatre to perform two concerts on 22 and 23 October, as part of their world tour celebrating their 25^th anniversary, presenting some of the band’s greatest hits alongside songs from the new album, “Reflections”.

Since making its debut in the early 2000s, Blue has established itself as one of Britain’s most successful pop groups, selling more than 16 million albums worldwide. Three consecutive albums reached No. 1 in the UK, while 11 of its singles made the Top 10. Over the years, the British band have also collaborated with international stars including Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Lil’ Kim.

A regional conference celebrating women in leadership and the real impact of inclusive leadership.

The first edition of the “Women in Leadership” Conference will take place on 24 October at the Cinema Hall, a high-profile cultural event that unites influential women and allies from across the region. The conference presents real-life leadership journeys through keynote speeches and panel discussions featuring prominent figures from government, business, health, culture, education, innovation, and social development.

The conference addresses six core themes reflecting the region’s leadership journey, including governance, decision-making, and leadership under pressure, aiming to spotlight inspiring role models, encourage meaningful dialogue, and offer insights that contribute to strengthening the leadership landscape. The event takes the form of a refined and impactful evening that honours women’s achievements and reaffirms Kuwait’s commitment to cultural leadership and social advancement.

An innovative concert that brings different songs together, performed by Fahad Al Salem, Jassim Bin Thani, Abdullah Tareq and Khamis Al Khamis.

Many songs share similar themes and lyrics, so that a verse from one can flow seamlessly into another, making them sound as though they were one song. This is the idea behind our upcoming concert, “Two Songs in One”, which will be held at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ali Concert Hall on October 28, performed by young Kuwaiti singers Fahad Al Salem, Jassim Bin Thani, Abdullah Tareq and Khamis Al Khamis, accompanied by the musical ensemble conducted by Dr Ahmed Al Oud.

The programme features a selection of some of the popular Kuwaiti, khaleeji and Arabic songs, old and new, pairing two songs into a single performance through harmonious melodies and closely related lyrics, so that the music and meaning complement each other in the newly created piece. This type of concert offers musical variety and unexpected moments of “tarab”, while requiring careful selection of both lyrics and melodies to create seamless and cohesive medleys.

The Beatles’s magic is brought to life in a contemporary orchestral experience, featuring Maestro Damián Mahler’s acclaimed arrangements.

For fans of the legendary British band The Beatles, the National Theatre hosts an extraordinary musical experience this October, titled “The Beatles Symphonic Fantasy”, which celebrates their enduring legacy through an innovative orchestral vision combining the power of symphonic arrangements with the spirit of one of the most influential bands in music history. The show brings together a 13-piece classical orchestra and Maestro Damián Mahler’s acclaimed arrangements, presenting some of the band’s most beloved songs in a fresh interpretation that preserves their unmistakable essence while giving them greater musical richness and depth.

The production features a select group of 4 singers and 13 musicians chosen by Liverpool’s legendary Cavern Club, where The Beatles first rose to fame. Through their distinctive vocal styles and stage presence, the singers capture the spirit of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. The concert takes audiences on a musical journey through the melodies that shaped The Beatles’ history, in an experience that blends nostalgia with creativity and celebrates the extraordinary legacy of a band that remains one of the greatest musical phenomena in history.