Qatar Museums to stage world premiere of Again, a musical theatre

Doha, Qatar - Qatar Museums will stage the world premiere of the musical theatre production "Again" from October 27 to 31, 2026. Developed by writer and historian Tariq Ali, this production fuses South African performers with Palestinian testimony to explore the historical connections between the struggles for freedom and self-determination in these two nations.

Taking place at the Abdul Aziz Nasser Theatre in Souq Waqif, "Again" is presented in association with Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art. The collaboration aims to create space for dialogue and critical cultural conversations through live performance. The production is directed by Mark Dornford-May, with Associate Director Max Roberts and choreographer Lungelo Ngamlana.

Qatar Museums Director Zeina Arida emphasized the importance of the production in bringing South African and Palestinian testimony together on stage. Meanwhile, "Again" Artistic Director Mark Dornford-May highlighted how the production seeks to "bring those voices together through music, movement and performance without collapsing their differences" and create something immediate, human, and alive.

Palestinian writer Sondos Sabra, whose words form a significant part of the production, shared her thoughts on the project. She explained that she wrote these words "to hold on to moments that might otherwise disappear to people, places and memories" and that it is "painful but also a form of survival" to see them told by other voices on stage.

Tariq Ali, the writer and historian who originally conceived the idea, praised the collaboration between Isango Ensemble and Palestinian writer Sondos Sabra. He expressed gratitude to Qatar Museums, Mathaf, and others for making the production possible.

"Again" combines music, movement, and spoken word to weave together themes of resistance, struggle for liberation, apartheid, industrial decline, working-class resistance, conflict, and displacement. The 90-minute production features a 15-member ensemble from South Africa and the United Kingdom, drawing on Sabra's words, her experiences, and the performers' inherited experiences.