First Saudi Play ‘The Hoop’ Premieres at Edinburgh Festival Fringe

The Scottish capital Edinburgh witnessed the premiere of the Saudi play The Hoop, directed by Fahad Al-Dosari, as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The festival, one of the largest theater events in the world, is celebrating cultural diversity this year, with more than 2,000 artists from 256 countries presenting 3,350 artistic performances.

 Supported by the Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission, the production marks a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s growing presence on the global theater stage. The play will run until August 5, 2025, and is part of the “Sitar” program—an initiative launched by the commission to support local theater production and promote emerging Saudi talent. Presented in English translation, the play explores the reality of contemporary human life in a bleak, repetitive environment, employing a symbolic dramatic structure that captures the existential concerns of modern times.

 Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting the arts and enhancing its cultural presence worldwide. It aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to empower national talent and showcase creative content on global platforms.

 The Hoop previously won the Best Contemporary Show Award at the second Riyadh Theater Festival in 2024 and recently participated in the 79th Avignon Festival in France, as part of a series celebrating the Arabic language.