A Royal Court / British Council Partnership International Plawrights: A Genesis Project In April 2007, the Royal Court and the British Council embarked on an ambitious new project working with writers across seven different countries from the Near East and North Africa region. Emerging playwrights from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia travelled to Damascus to work with playwrights April de Angelis and David Greig, and Royal Court Associate Director Elyse Dodgson, starting a journey that has spanned 18 months and workshops in three different countries. Together, these writers have been developing new plays exploring and reflecting contemporary life in their countries, through workshops in Damascus, Tunis and Cairo. Seven of these writers have now been invited to London to present their work as staged readings in specially commissioned translations. These will be complemented by a panel discussion with the writers and the chance to enjoy music, poetry and food from the region. 
REHEARSED READINGS Tuesday, 11 November, 7pm Jordan VOICELESS by Amani Zawawi Direction: Indhu Rubasingham Cast: Nathalie Armin, Paul Chahidi, Shiv Grewal, Abu Ahmad, Simone James, Shaheen Khan, Shelley King, Tom McKay, Justin Salinger, Nicolas Tennant Felix Thunder's Morning Show used to be the hit of the airwaves but with anti-American feeling on the rise, it's not just his future as a radio host that's under threat. Wednesday, 12 November, 7pm DOUBLE BILL: WITHDRAWAL & EGYPTIAN PRODUCTS Syria WITHDRAWAL by Mohammad Attar Translation: Clem Naylor Direction: Amy Hodge Cast: Sam Crane, Jemima Rooper Ahmad and Nour rent a flat so that they can spend time together away from their families, but is having space to themselves going to solve all their problems? A brutally honest examination of a relationship. & Egypt EGYPTIAN PRODUCTS by Laila Soliman Translation: Khalid Laith Direction: Hettie Macdonald Cast: Rudi Dharmalingham, Jonathan McGuinness, Raad Rawi, Zita Sattar, Michelle Terry Hadia is an independent woman in Cairo. Gasir is a painfully awkward lab assistant with attachment issues over his dead mother. Is he really her knight in shining armour? Thursday, 13 November, 7pm Morocco DAMAGE by Kamal Khalladi Translation: Houda Echouafni Direction: Ramin Gray Cast: Jude Akuwudike, Michelle Asante, Houda Echouafni, Amira Ghazalla, Munir Khairdin, Khalid Laith, Al Nedjari, Yetunde Oduwole, Raad Rawi, Ony Uhiara Youssef and Sana'a aren't taking a honeymoon - Youssef has accepted a military peacekeeping expedition in Congo. Will either of them be the same people when he comes back? Friday, 14 November, 7pm Palestine 603 by Imad Farajin Translation: Hassan Abdulrazzak Direction: Rufus Norris Cast: Tom Fisher, Nathaniel Martello-White, Lee Ross, Matt Smith Four Palestinian men share a cramped prison cell listening to the buses come and go outside, wondering if the next one will take them home. A play about hope and waiting. Saturday, 15 November, 3pm Morocco HASSAN LEKLICHES by Jaouad Essounani Translation: Omar Berdouni Direction: Simon Godwin Hassan meets Corinne on the internet and falls in love. But will he ever get to Switzerland to see her in the flesh? An Arab Everyman becomes an enemy abroad and a hero at home. Saturday, 15 November, 7pm Lebanon THE HOUSE by Arzé Khodr Translation: Khalid Laith Direction: Maria Aberg Nadia wants nothing else but to remain in the house she grew up in. Her sister, Reem wants nothing else but to sell the house which is full of painful memories. EVENTS Thursday, 13 November, 5pm A TRIBUTE TO MAHMOUD DARWISH A celebration of the poetry of Mahmoud Darwish, one of the most acclaimed contemporary poets in the Arab world, with readings in Arabic and English by the playwrights and other artists involved in the project. Saturday, 15 November, 4.30pm PANEL DISCUSSION: New Plays from the Arab World A forum led by playwright David Greig with all seven writers featured in the week, and the writers and directors involved in the Royal Court's work in the region. The discussion will be followed by free refreshments in the Balcony Bar. To book either event, please call the Box Office on 020 7565 5000. MUSIC IN THE CAFE BAR Friday, 14 November, 9pm, free LIVE MUSIC: EL-ANDALUZ Algerian quartet, El-Andaluz are the leading exponents in London of classical Arabic, North African and Andalusian music, playing the oud, the derbouka, the violin and the bass. For more information, visit their MySpace page. Saturday, 15 November, 9pm, free DJ: U-CEF 'The Talvin Singh of North African music, DJ U-Cef brings Arabic music and breakbeat together in a storm of sound.' Time Out Moroccan-born U-cef brings Arabic music into the 21st century, creating a fusion of traditional and dance beats in the Royal Court cafe bar. For more information, visit his website. |
