Rabat – Moroccan playwright and cultural figure Aziz Seghrouchni died on Sunday, the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication announced. Seghrouchni was known for his contribution to the country’s theater scene and his role as the first Moroccan director of the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat.
In a statement of condolence, the ministry described Seghrouchni as one of the figures who helped enrich Morocco’s national theater scene through his writing and work organizing artistic and cultural events.
Seghrouchni took charge of the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat in 1964, becoming the first Moroccan to hold the position. He remained at the head of the institution for 36 years, overseeing a venue that hosted Moroccan and international theater productions.
His work extended beyond managing the theater. Through his involvement with the Friends of French Theater association, Seghrouchni helped bring foreign theater companies to Morocco and organize tours in several Moroccan cities. He also worked with the Moroccan-Soviet Friendship Association.
As a playwright, Seghrouchni explored subjects ranging from hypocrisy to historical themes. His play “The Last Chapter” drew on the history of the Taifa kingdoms in Al-Andalus and marked his first work with the National Troupe, then known as the Popular Theater Troupe, after he joined it in 1962. The play was directed by Tayeb Seddiki.
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In a later interview, Seghrouchni recalled that he wrote the play to examine hypocrisy, a subject he had also encountered in Molière’s “Tartuffe,” which deals with religious pretension and false piety. He described “The Last Chapter” as a turning point in his move toward professional playwriting.
Seghrouchni developed an interest in theater during his school years in Fez, where he studied classical dramatic works by European playwrights, including Molière and Pierre Corneille. In a 2023 interview, he recalled his early exposure to dramatic literature and theater techniques while attending secondary school during the French protectorate.
After completing his baccalaureate, he continued his studies in Saint-Cloud, France, at an institution that offered training in audiovisual media and covered theater and the performing arts. He later returned to Morocco, where theater was still developing as a professional field.
His work also extended to major cultural events outside the theater. Seghrouchni took part in organizing the Mawazine music festival in Rabat, where he said he worked for 17 years.
In the 2023 interview, Seghrouchni also spoke about the importance of professional training for artists, arguing that theater needed qualified practitioners with technical knowledge and experience. He supported the development of training institutions for theater and cultural activities.
The ministry’s announcement did not provide further details about the circumstances of his death.
