- Title: IRAQ-POLITICAL PLAY Iraqi play explores local politics
- Date: 18th August 2015
- Summary: ACTORS PERFORMING ON STAGE SIGN READING (Arabic): "A NEW GENERATOR WILL BE SWINDLED AND HUSTLED FOR THE NEIGHBOURHOOD" VARIOUS OF ACTORS PERFORMING
- Embargoed: 2nd September 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Iraq
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAEZ2NDVIC42M2GB8YR9L46A5AO
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A stage comedy running at Baghdad's Iraqi National Theatre is exploring local politics with humour, songs, and dance.
The play stars some of the best-known Iraqi comedians, such as Abd Al-Rahman Al-Murshidi and Ayad Radhi.
The title of the production is "Shino al-film" -- which means "What's the film", or colloquially "what is happening?"
Writer and director Haider Mnaathar is known in Iraq for criticising politicians as well as corruption in the country.
Mnaathar said he is trying to make people think critically before electing politicians.
"The main reason that I wrote the script is that in the past we used to blame politicians for their performance but at this critical time of our history, we came to the conclusion that there is no point in criticising the politician, but we have hope in criticising the citizen who brings this politician to power and becomes the decision-maker," he said.
Comic and actor Abd al-Rahman al-Murshidi said the idea was to use humour to draw attention to an otherwise grim subject.
"The play is talking about different aspects, we talk about the tragedy of our society via comedy. Our purpose is a catharsis and criticism that changes our society. Our society needs smile and happiness because sadness has taken over our society," Murshidi said.
His colleague Ayad Radhi also believes in the power of comedy and theatre to bring change.
"Everyone knows that theatre is a changing tool, but it's not demanded from the actor to change the reality. The artist points at the error, puts the spotlight on what's negative in the society, and presents it to decision-makers that this thing is wrong and we need to change it," Radhi said.
Some members of the audience said the play mirrored the Iraqi situation.
"In general, this play talks about the Iraqi reality, Iraqi street, Iraqi society and about Iraq itself. It talks about about what's happening currently and what we are currently experiencing," said Abd Al-Ameer Tuama.
The play tells the story of three land-owning friends who grew up in a poor Iraqi neighbourhood. Their lives took a different path: one became an unsuccessful singer, another became a theatre director, and the third became a corrupt government official conspiring for foreign powers.
Their loyalty is tested in the face of a foreign conspiracy aiming to buy land and destroy Iraq through corrupt officials.
"Shino al-film" premiered in July and has been running house full over the weekends, drawing in up to 600 people. It will run for another few months. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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