news - No men allowed: Saudi all-women plays attract crowds in Eid

Gender segregation is the norm in most aspects of everyday life in
Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
More than 7,000 women have attended performances of "SowaleefHarem"
(Women's Talk) since the play opened to audiences four days ago inthe
Saudi capital, Riyadh.
No men have attended theplay, a comedy about four women who
accidentally discover that they are married to the same man.
Actually, men are not allowed to attend the shows. Unlike television,
where Saudi actors and actresses work together, theater remains a
gender-segregated field in the conservative Kingdom.
So, the show being performed at the King Fahad Cultural Center is an
all-women affair. Only women act in the play, and only women are
allowed to attend.
This gender segregation is the norm in most aspects of everyday life
in Saudi Arabia, which practices a strict interpretation of Islam, and
local theatre is a tradition. But the droves flocking to "Sowaleef
Harem" mark an upswing in popularity of women's theatre in the
country.
With limited entertainment options andstrict laws in their
country,many Saudis take advantage of the Eid holiday to travel to
neighboring countries like Bahrain and Lebanon, where they take
vacations in a more liberal atmosphere.
But as political tensions run high this year in Manama and Beirut,
many Saudi families changed or canceled their travel plans.The local
government in Riyadh has attempted to attract residents with theirown
programming that includes activities for children, fireworks shows,
and plays for men and women.
According to local media reports, four all-women plays were available
to female audiences in Riyadh during Eid al-Fitr festivities which
follow theholy fasting month of Ramadan. A fifth play tookplace in the
coastal city of Jeddah.
Many of the performances touched on the gender barriers being
delicately addressed in the country. With the high unemployment rate
among women, the Saudi government has tried in recent years to
integrate more women into the job market by loosening the segregation
laws in the workplace.
One of this year's plays, "Al-Rekada Zeina" (It's Good To Slow Down),
tackled the issues faced byfemale teachers, who struggle to find jobs
and then struggle to get to work because women are not allowed to
drive in Saudi Arabia.
Manal al-Eisa, the lead actress of the play, said acting in all-female
theater gives her freedom to "deliver the message with no
reservations."
Al-Eisa pointed out that she has received support from Prince Adelah
bint Abdullah, the King's daughter who is known tobe actively involved
in women's empowerment efforts in the country.
Samir al-Wohaibi, the director of "Sowaleef Harem," told al-Riyadh
daily that all-female theater provides a great outlet to showcase
women's talents and address common concerns.
"We can tackle our women's issues with morecomfort and privacy," she said.