JORDAN-WFP/PLAY Amman play finds humour in political crisis

Record ID: 148206

  • Title: JORDAN-WFP/PLAY Amman play finds humour in political crisis
  • Date: 6th July 2015
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) ACTOR AND COMEDIAN IN SHOW, FADI CHARBEL, SAYING: "This show is talking about everything related to this country (Jordan) including political, economic and social issues in a sarcastic way, to try to push it to make it comedic so that people can laugh at these events which made them suffer." BANNER READING IN ARABIC "KTIR SALBEH SHOW"
  • Embargoed: 21st July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Jordan
  • Country: Jordan
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA278QO5DRER58D5GBOU574AJ36
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: A play in the Jordanian capital, Amman is trying to show audiences the funny side of the crises affecting the country and the region.
    The show called "Ktir Salbeh", or "Too negative", features Lebanese actors and tackles some of the most pertinent problems facing Jordan and its neighbours.
    Actor and comedian Fadi Charbel said the play pokes fun at some thorny issues, including the Islamic State.
    "This show is talking about everything related to this country (Jordan) including political, economic and social issues in a sarcastic way, to try to push it to make it comedic so that people can laugh at these events which made them suffer," he said.
    The actors were invited to perform by the UN's World Food Programme (WFP), and proceeds from the event will be donated to underprivileged families in Jordan.
    Amal Dabbas, a Jordanian actress and WFP ambassador, stressed the importance of bringing about support for families who are suffering.
    "There is a segment (of society) that is suffering too much and facing extreme poverty and we need to support these families because the issue of poverty, if overcome, will preserve dignity," she said.
    Jordan has seen an influx of refugees from Syria in recent years, which has compounded the problems facing poorer families in the country.
    Fatin al Hindi from the WFP said the agency helps mitigate the impact of these crises on the most vulnerable in society.
    "Every year, we help approximately 90 million people in 80 countries across the world. In Jordan, we hold activities to raise awareness against hunger and to raise funds to use in enhancing food security for underprivileged families in Jordan. We help around 160,000 Jordanians in various locations who have been affected by the Syrian and economic crisis," she said.
    An estimated 3.8 million people have fled Syria since 2011, when the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began.
    Around 600,000 refugees are registered in Jordan, with most of them living in urban areas and around 100,000 Syrians in the camps, according to the UNHCR.
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