- Title: Beirut theatre celebrates 20th anniversary with festival
- Date: 18th October 2016
- Summary: VARIOUS OF ACTORS PERFORMING ON STAGE MUSICIANS VARIOUS OF ACTORS PERFORMING
- Embargoed: 2nd November 2016 10:44
- Keywords: Lebanon Beirut theatre festival play music Al-Madina theatre
- Location: BEIRUT, LEBANON
- City: BEIRUT, LEBANON
- Country: Lebanon
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Theatre
- Reuters ID: LVA00454J4TAT
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Lebanese artists from the worlds of theatre, music, dance and film are presenting their works in a festival celebrating the 20th anniversary of a renowned Beirut playhouse.
The Al-Madina theatre on Hamra street is one of the few remaining theatre venues in the Lebanese capital.
But some see the thirteen-day event as a bid to breathe life back in to Beirut's theatre scene.
The festival's artistic director, Nidal al Achkar, who founded Al-Madina, said that the event was a celebration of culture in the city.
"Honestly, the artists themselves are celebrating the theatre and we are celebrating them and the city. Who enlightened Beirut city? The creators, the creative, those who really filled the city with their great works be it singing, dancing or theatre; and this is really beautiful. How did I chose them (the artists)? They imposed themselves," she said.
Achkar, who is also a playwright, director and actress, is among several Lebanese artists set to showcase their work.
Other participants include theatre makers Issam Abou Khaled, Lina Abyad, Lina Khoury and Jacques Maroun.
"This festival brings artists together and it encourages us to participate, try and prepare a new work. We usually waste our time, it is difficult to come up with a production and do a play so Nidal (Al Achkar) encouraged us to participate and present something and we were thankful. I am really proud of this festival and I hope it is repeated annually, I will be very happy if this happens," said Maroun, a director who recently toured in Paris with his play, 'Venus'.
The festival kicked off on Friday (October 14) with a full house for theatre director Fouad Naim's 'Al-Malek Yamout' ('The King is Dying'), followed by a concert by Lebanese singer Rima Khcheich.
"Theatre is almost going extinct in Lebanon and Al-Madina theatre is trying to bring back life to the theatre scene, this is why this festival is very important," said one attendee, architect Rafic Al-Ashkar.
For Mohamed Akil, one of the sound designers for the 'Al-Malek Yamout' play, the festival is a breath of fresh air for Beirut.
"The country is dying, it looks dead like this play we just watched and participated in. There is nothing anymore in the country, no state, no institutions, no culture; there is garbage, death, migration, misery and sadness. This is the only joyful breath in the middle of the city, it is the last pulse," he said.
The festival, which runs until October 26, is showcasing a host of other artists, incuding film directors Jad Abi Khalil and Zeina Daccache, singers Sami Hawat and Jahida Wehbe and dancer Nada Kanao. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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