“Qays & Layla” is one of many Arabic stories that generations of lovers inherited and admired for all the meanings of love between the insane Qays Ibn al-Mulawwah and his ladylove Layla al-Aamiriya.
Their story, which dates back to the 5th century AD, was never proven real by historians, but it became a legend and a symbol of eternal love. “Qays & Layla” is now back to life in Riyadh, but this time, it takes place in the technology era.
The Theater and Performance Arts Commission has created a new version of “Qays & Layla” with a contemporary and comic style that narrates the story in the current, digital era dominated by techs and social media.
Planned for nine days, the play is part of the events and live performances organized by the association in an attempt to highlight the local, cultural heritage, create modern arts that combine music and different forms of performance arts, and encourage the young talents on developing a local content that revives the Saudi heritage.
“Qays & Layla” is one of the most known Arabic love stories that revolve around passion, separation, and madness. The story’s protagonist was given several titles including the most popular “Majnoun Layla” (the mad of Layla).
Layla was Qays’ cousin, he grew up with her, loved her, and wrote her poems that people still read and memorize in our days. Layla’s parents refused to marry her to Qays, which made him leave and move to Najd, Hijaz, Damascus, but he never managed to forget her.
