What’s On

A night not to be missed, featuring the great composer and a new encounter with his music and his masterful piano performance alongside a distinguished ensemble of musicians.

This April, the legendary composer Omar Khairat returns to the National Theatre, for two concerts, with a new selection of his works, to perform for his audience in Kuwait alongside an exceptional group of musicians. Omar Khairat’s concerts have become an annual tradition in our cultural seasons—an event we eagerly anticipate for the chance to immerse ourselves in his deeply moving and joyfully uplifting music while experiencing his brilliant piano artistry.

For over 40 years, Omar Khairat has redefined pure instrumental music in Egypt and the Arab world, leaving a lasting creative imprint. His compositions uniquely blend traditional Arabic music with classical and contemporary Western influences, creating a signature style that has captivated audiences. His film and television scores remain widely celebrated, earning him immense popularity across generations.

For the first time in Kuwait, as part of their global tour celebrating 20 years together, Blue, one of the UK’s most exciting and successful boy bands of the millennium, will perform their debut concert.

For the first time in Kuwait, as part of their global tour celebrating 20 years together, Blue—one of the UK’s most successful boy bands of the millennium—will perform live at the National Theatre on 10–11 April. This tour marks their return to the stage after a years-long hiatus. The group reunited in 2022 and released their latest album, Heart & Soul, featuring hits like “Haven’t Found You Yet” and “Dance with Me”. After kicking off in the UK, the tour has expanded to cities worldwide.

The British four-member band—Simon Webbe, Duncan James, Antony Costa, and Lee Ryan—formed in 2000 and has sold over 16 million albums globally. Their first three albums all topped the UK Official Album Chart, and they have collaborated with music icons such as Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Lil’ Kim. Fans can look forward to a nostalgic setlist featuring their greatest hits, including “You Make Me Wanna”, “All Rise”, “If You Come Back”, “and One Love”, as part of their Greatest Hits Tour.

A special evening celebrating the art of Ṣawt, a genre deeply rooted in our cultural heritage, featuring the renowned artist Salman Al Ammari and the musical ensemble led by Maestro Dr Khaled Noori.

This April, we celebrate the art of Ṣawt, a musical form that emerged in the mid-19th century and continues to captivate audiences to this day. On 13 April, the Sheikh Jaber Al Ali Concert Hall will host “A Night of Aswat with Salman Al Ammari”. The concert will take us on an enchanting journey through some of the most celebrated traditional Ṣawt melodies from Kuwait and Bahrain, alongside a selection of modernised Ṣawt pieces that gained prominence in the 1960s. The evening will feature a captivating performance by the choir and veteran singer Salman Al Ammari, accompanied by a musical ensemble under the direction of Maestro Dr Khaled Noori.

The art of Ṣawt is distinguished by its rich poetic expressions, featuring sung poetry such as and classical Arabic poetry, as well as distinct rhythmic patterns like Shami, Arabi, and Khayali. Instrumentation plays a vital role in defining the unique character of this art, with the oud and mirwas standing out as key instruments. Other essential elements include sharbaka (rhythmic clapping) and zafan (a dignified dance), all of which contribute to the enduring popularity of Ṣawt across the region. These elements have solidified its place in Kuwaiti musical heritage, distinguishing it from other Arabic music types.

Known as the King of Music, this concert revives the iconic songs and melodies of late composer Baligh Hamdi, performed by Reham Abdel-Hakim Abdelghani and Khalaf Al-Mashouf, accompanied by the musical ensemble under the direction of maestro Dr Alaa Abdel-Salam.

This musical evening, hosted at the National Theatre on 17 April, celebrates the unforgettable compositions of Baligh Hamdi, an extraordinary talent in the world of Arabic music during the 20th century. Over his prolific career, spanning the 1950s to the early 1990s, Baligh Hamdi composed more than 3,000 songs for many of Egypt’s and the Arab world’s greatest singers. His contributions included 11 songs for Umm Kulthum, 30 for Abdel Halim Hafez, and a similar number for Warda, with whom he shared a profound love story that culminated in marriage. Their collaboration produced some of the most iconic romantic songs that continue to resonate with audiences today.

Baligh Hamdi also discovered young talents like Afaf Radi and Mayada El-Hennawi, who rose to fame performing his remarkable compositions. Despite countless musical evenings dedicated to his work, they are never enough to fully explore the magical world of melodies he created or to enjoy his rich legacy as a musical genius of the 20th century.

In this concert, we present a new selection of the King of Music masterpieces, brought to life by the extraordinary voice of Reham Abdel-Hakim and the rising Kuwaiti singer Khalaf Al-Mashouf, accompanied by the musical ensemble conducted by Dr Alaa Abdel-Salam.

A tribute night honouring the unforgettable late Tunisian singer, revisiting a collection of her most beautiful songs, performed by Rolane, Eman Shmety, and Redwan El Asmar. 

For the first time in our cultural seasons, we dedicate a night to the songs of the late Tunisian singer Zekra, whose voice remains timeless despite her passing. On 24 April, the National Theatre will host a special concert bearing her name, “Zekra”, celebrating her most beloved songs, performed by the gifted Rolane, Eman Shmety, and Redwan El Asmar.

Zekra possessed one of the most exquisite voices in Arabic music, conveying the many shades of love with unmatched emotional depth. Her legacy continues to be cherished by fans to this day. Despite her sudden passing and relatively limited discography, her admirers remain captivated by her enchanting renditions of poetic lyrics and melodies across various Arabic dialects. She particularly excelled in Khaleeji music, collaborating with some of its greatest icons, including Mohammed Abdou, Talal Maddah, and Abu Bakr Salem.

A new musical evening with the beloved Yemeni artist featuring a selection of the finest Yemeni and Khaleeji songs, along with his own works.

Aboud Khawaja is one of the most renowned and celebrated Yemeni singers in the Arab music scene. Last year, he performed as part of the Hadhrami Orchestra concert, and this season, audiences can once again enjoy his remarkable talent. Known for his mastery of various Yemeni and Khaleeji singing styles, as well as his exceptional skills on the oud and violin, we will spend an unforgettable night of music at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ali Concert Hall on April 30^th.

Born into a musical family that nurtured his talent, Aboud Zain Al-Saqqaf—better known as Aboud Khawaja—began his musical journey in the mid-1980s in Lahij, southern Yemen. Over the years, he has released numerous songs, including hits such as “Ana Estahil Elli Sar”, “Ya Qow Galbak”, “Gal Masalehi”, and “Ala Shate’ Al-Buheira”. His albums include Ya Lahj Mini Salam and Hanin Al-Watan, among many other works.

A unique concert for all animation lovers, offering an innovative musical experience that blends old and new tunes from iconic Arabic and international cartoon shows. 

Animation has long played a profound role in shaping our memories and emotions, with its captivating songs and stories sparking imagination and creativity in children and adults alike. This special concert, to be hosted at the National Theatre on 7 and 10 May, offers a creative journey through beloved melodies from Arabic and international animated classics, blending nostalgia with innovation.

The programme features iconic theme songs and memorable soundtracks from renowned animated productions, spanning from the 1970s to the present. Enhanced by cutting-edge visual and audio technologies, the concert promises a captivating experience, with renowned Lebanese director Nicolas Khabbaz’s artistic innovative vision and Maestro Dr Khaled Noori’s vibrant, contemporary orchestral arrangements breathing new life into these timeless themes.