LEBANON: Lebanon's celebrated musician, playwright and actor Ziad al-Rahbani performs in a play for the first time in 20 years

Record ID: 431307

  • Title: LEBANON: Lebanon's celebrated musician, playwright and actor Ziad al-Rahbani performs in a play for the first time in 20 years
  • Date: 7th October 2013
  • Summary: BEIRUT, LEBANON (OCTOBER 03, 2013) (REUTERS) 'AL-MADINA THEATRE' IN HAMRA STREET IN BEIRUT WHERE 'MAJNOUN YEHKI' OR 'MADMAN SPEAKING' IS PLAYING POSTERS OF 'MAJNOUN YEHKI' PLAY ZIAD AL-RAHBANI'S PHOTO ON THE POSTER VARIOUS OF PEOPLE GATHERING IN THEATRE HALL BEFORE THE START OF THE PLAY FLYERS OF THE PLAY VARIOUS OF PEOPLE STANDING IN QUEUE TO ENTER THEATRE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PLAY DIRECTOR, LINA KHOURY, SAYING: "The play is about a woman who writes an article where she expresses her opinion against the authority, so the authority puts her in prison - this authority that isn't known what it is -- military, religious, ideological, traditional or social or whatever it is. They tell her you're crazy because you wrote something against the regime, and they tell her, 'you're a man'. This is when suppression is not logical, you can't analyse it. So if she confesses, she is crazy and a man, she will be out and if not, she stays in prison."
  • Embargoed: 22nd October 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Lebanon
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Topics: Arts
  • Reuters ID: LVA4H19MV8LP9SAISP2CNTH9JOE0
  • Story Text: Lebanon's legendary performer Ziad Al-Rahbani staged a comeback this month after an absence of nearly two decades from the stage.
    Beirut's Madina Theatre was packed as people lined up to watch 'Majnoun Yehki' (Madman Speaking) as the play opened on October 3.
    Director Lina Khoury adapted the piece from a foreign play, modifying the script to reflect the Arab world's battle for freedom of expression.

    "The play is about a woman who writes an article where she expresses her opinion against the authority, so the authority puts her in prison - this authority that isn't known what it is -- military, religious, ideological, traditional or social or whatever it is. Tey tell her you're crazy because you wrote something against the regime, and they tell her, 'you're a man'. This is when suppression is not logical, you can't analyse it. So if she confesses, she is crazy and a man, she will be out and if not, she stays in prison," Khoury said.
    The musical tragic-comedy features well-known actors beside Rahbani. Nada Abou Farhat, Gabriel Yammine, Andree Nakkouzi, Aline Salloum and Elie Kamal perform alongside a live orchestra of 16 musicians.
    Farhat said the play was an important accomplishment for her.

    "The project for me is really important. This is the most important theatrical work for me, the most important role for me on stage, and I am so happy about it,'' she said.
    ''We suffered a lot and did a lot of research but I think we found our hard work on stage, we worked a lot but all the personalities were there, but there was something magical on stage, especially with the music and the energy of the people, so it was something great," she added referring to the amount of work that went into the production.
    Rahbani, son of famous Lebanese composer Assi al-Rahbani and singer Fairouz, is a musician, playwright, actor, composer and political commentator. Rahbani, who till recently wrote for Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, declined to talk to the media at the event.
    His fans hailed his performance.
    ''Ziad gave a lot from himself in it, in his usual way, with his very strong charisma on stage," said Walid Hanna.
    Another fan said he loved the play as it reflected the current political situation in many Arab countries.
    The play runs until 17th November.
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