JEDDAH — More than two million people are expected to visit 166 entertainment programs scheduled in 15 Saudi cities during a period of three months. The world-class programs managed by international companies auger well with the Entertainment Authority.
However, well-known Saudi actors and artists have urged the authority to move quickly to strengthen the Kingdom’s entertainment industry, which was hitherto hampered by laws and taboos. The Cabinet decided to set up the authority about four months ago. But it has not yet announced any concrete plans to quench the thirst of Saudis who love various entertainment programs including stunt shows and stage events. Young Saudi men and women have expressed their appreciation of the new authority and hoped its programs would energize them and help develop their personality and skills.
Some 166 events have been scheduled in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and other parts of the country. They include live shows by iLuminate, a world famous entertainment company with state-of-the-art technology and electrifying entertainers who perform in the dark. This is for the time iLuminate is performing in the Kingdom, with live shows in Riyadh and Jeddah. Luxury Entertainment will also perform in the country while WWE wrestlers will come next month to Riyadh for an equally impressive show.
Monster Jam, a live motor sport event, is also scheduled for next month apart from a food exhibition. Arab Got Talent, a television reality show by MBC4, will showcase young Arab talented men and women for live shows in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.
Comic-con is another major entertainer to visit the Kingdomwith programs including action/adventure, animation, comics-oriented, documentary, horror/suspense, humor and science fiction.
Other scheduled programs include an art show by Tarek Al-Ali, Jeddah Comedy Club tour, and Laugh Factory show as well as Du Soleil circus, Roznama 2017, Universe Science, Light Festival, the Lion King musical show and demonstration of American actor Al Pacino.
Actor Hassan Assiri commended the scheduled entertainment programs for this year. “These are marvelous programs and I am happy that they are organized in various Saudi cities to entertain our people.”
Producer Ayman Jamal expressed his happiness over the formation of Entertainment Authority. “But we are yet to seen its plans and programs on the ground,” he added. Actor Faisal Al-Essa said the authority should facilitate entertainment programs in the country by softening regulations and providing necessary facilities.
