The Renowned Artist Yahya Al-Sanhani

He was born in Sana’a in 1950. He began pursuing his passion for acting during his primary and preparatory school years, and later while studying at the Agricultural Institute. In the period following the September Revolution of 1962, he worked at the Spinning and Weaving Factory in Sana’a. In 1969, he participated in a theatrical production with the factory’s troupe during a celebration marking Labor Day. At the time, this troupe was considered one of the earliest theatrical groups in North Yemen. His theatrical career continued with subsequent productions, including The People and Parliament, which was staged in the early 1970s. The play showcased his ability to combine satirical comedy with commentary on events related to public concerns. This talent led to his selection for the lead role in Eve of the Feast, which was staged in 1970.

He later joined the Ministry of Information and Culture as part of the radio broadcasting staff, becoming the first Yemeni actor to hold an official position within the government’s media establishment in Sana’a. His play A People’s Story was subsequently selected for participation in the First Arab Youth Festival in Algeria.

After the formation of the National Theatre Troupe in Sana’a, he joined the group and performed in numerous theatrical productions, including Bread and Knowledge, The Punishment, The Devil and His Image, and The School of Fools. The latter play was attended by Yemen’s then Prime Minister, Mohsen al-Aini, who officially recognized the troupe. This marked a significant step toward establishing a theatre institution supported by the state in North Yemen.

He took part in the establishment of Yemeni television in Sana’a and presented its first television production in 1975, a series titled He Who Works at the Blacksmith’s Forge Gets Burned. The series was broadcast live at the time. He later formed his own acting troupe, through which he produced the television series The Disguised Face in 1978. His television career continued with numerous productions, and he formed a creative partnership with writer Abdullah Al-Haifi, collaborating on television dramas, public-awareness sketches, and television programmes. He continued this work until he was appointed Yemen’s cultural attaché in Damascus.

After returning from Damascus to Sana’a in the 1990s, he resumed his artistic career as a writer and actor, although his contributions to writing television dramas became more prominent than his acting roles. During this period, he formed a creative partnership with director Abdulrahman Dallaq. However, his career was interrupted by illness. His chronic illness first emerged in 2010, marking the beginning of a difficult and painful struggle with the disease, compounded by what was described as a lack of government recognition and support.

Throughout his life, he visited numerous Arab and foreign countries, participating in various events and activities.

TV Series

He Who Works the Forge Gets Burned (1975)

الوجه المستعار 1976

Abu Mohammed’s Diwan Series

المتفرج لبيب

كلام دغري

حكاية صابر ( كتابة فقط)

رماد الشوك ( كتابة فقط)

قد كان ما كان كان ( كتابة فقط)

شاهد عيان

يستاهل البرد

كل يوم حكاية

خليك معي

أوراق مسافر

برامج تلفزيونية

كلمة وبس

كلمة وعشر سوا

حجر ولا جليس

مسرحيات

الخبز والعلم

الجزاء

ابليس وصورته

مدرسة المغفلين

الشعب والبرلمان

حكاية شعب

الضمير في إجازة

انتهى اللعب يا ذكي

شيء لابد منه

ليلة العيد

كما وشارك في العديد من الأعمال الإذاعية.
المصدر
ويكيبيديا
اعلام اليمن