Legacy of a Theatre Visionary
Aziz Seghrouchni, a distinguished figure in Moroccan culture and the former director of the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, passed away on October 11, 2026. His death was announced by the Ribat Al Fath Association, which lamented the loss of one of its founding members, describing him as a "distinguished intellectual, eloquent playwright, and former director of the Mohammed V Theatre in Rabat." His dedication to the world of theatre spanned an impressive 36 years, during which he collaborated with numerous celebrated names in the performing arts, including Taieb Seddiki, Taieb Laâlej, Habiba El Medkouri, Abdessamad Dinia, Mohamed El Khalfi, and Mohamed Hassan El Joundi.
Seghrouchni was known for his humility and commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists. Rachid El Ouali, a prominent artist, expressed his immense gratitude towards the late director on social media, acknowledging the significant contributions Seghrouchni made to theatre and its practitioners. Born in Fes during the protectorate, Seghrouchni utilized theatre as a means to raise awareness and consciousness among the public. He skillfully adapted works of renowned playwrights like Corneille and Molière to reflect the Moroccan context of the late 1950s and early 1960s, all while serving in the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
A Journey Through Time
Seghrouchni recounted his appointment as the director of the Mohammed V Theatre with fondness, noting that the venue, initially opened in 1962, had served primarily as a cinema. When the late King Hassan II learned of this, he expressed his surprise, asking, "How can you close cinemas while opening one when the capital lacks a dedicated theatre space?" By early 1964, Seghrouchni was summoned to meet with the king, where they discussed his educational background and the monarch's vision for the arts. The king entrusted him with the theatre's direction, tasking him with transforming it into a comprehensive hub for all performing arts, despite the fact that its architecture was not originally designed for traditional theatre.
This marked the beginning of a rich journey that lasted 36 years, filled with joys, artistic projects, and memorable encounters. Seghrouchni was among the prominent figures who welcomed the legendary artist Oum Kalthoum during her historic visit to Morocco in 1968. While he initiated his theatrical endeavors at Moulay Driss High School in Fes, it was in Saint-Cloud, France, where he obtained his diploma in dramatic arts after completing his baccalaureate in Fes. After retiring in the early 2000s, Seghrouchni remained active in the cultural scene, contributing for several years to the Mawazine Festival in Rabat.
His unwavering dedication to the Mohammed V Theatre was evident even in the years leading up to his passing. He demonstrated this commitment by donating numerous works related to the performing arts and theatre to the library of the institution he had so passionately directed from 1964 to 2000.
As reported by maroc-hebdo.com.
