Roll up! Roll up! Theatrical show compares Lebanese politics to a circus

Record ID: 905399

  • Title: Roll up! Roll up! Theatrical show compares Lebanese politics to a circus
  • Date: 3rd August 2017
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) AUDIENCE MEMBER, WAEL DAOU, SAYING: "Wonderful show, the criticism was properly aimed, it reflects the situation of the country, we saw the situation of the country now on stage, it's wonderful."
  • Embargoed: 17th August 2017 13:44
  • Keywords: Lebanon Beiteddine Festival theatre Lebanese politics theatrical show pokes fun at Lebanese politics
  • Location: BEITEDDINE, LEBANON
  • City: BEITEDDINE, LEBANON
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Theater
  • Reuters ID: LVA0086SLRVBP
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:As a part of the Beiteddine international festival, a show mocking the internal politics of Lebanon debuted on Wednesday (August 2) and won praise from members of the audience.
    Actor and playwright Hisham Jaber and his crew took to the stage in Beiteddine, a historic town in the Chouf region, as they presented the satirical show complete with acrobatic, visual and light effects and an accompanying orchestra that played different types of musical genres.
    The plot of the play focuses on the main character Abu Fas Al Nasnas, who is a candidate in an upcoming election in a country named Kherbet Ahlam or ''Dream Wasteland'', and is launching an election campaign with an aide called Victoria.
    "Hisham was inspired by how the masses are being prepared all over the world, how propaganda is made, how they hang up banners, how they motivate people to vote for this candidate or that one, with shouting slogans, that reflects the state of the planet, not only Lebanon,'' Ziad Ahmadieh, composer of the musical score and actor, said.
    Ahmadieh said the show reflects society and the different class struggles that are present within it.
    "This show talks about the various society layers, where you can see the poorest, the richer and richer, which are represented by characters." Ahmadieh added.
    Jaber, 37, who wrote the script and the lyrics to the show's musical score, said ''political circus'' was a sign of the times, not just in Lebanon.
    "Politics on this planet is becoming like a circus, politicians all over this planet, not only Lebanon - in Lebanon they follow the waves instead of making waves. Politicians have become showbiz stars, they are playing the entertainment role, so we did the show, we took politics to the entertainment side. Because it's becoming a circus, the show talks about politics as a concept, how it is played, how propaganda happens,'' Jaber said.
    Jaber said he came up with the idea for the play two years ago and has since been working on it. Audience members welcomed the show saying it reflected the reality in Lebanon.
    "Wonderful show, the criticism was properly aimed, it reflects the situation of the country, we saw the situation of the country now on stage, it's wonderful, '' said Wael Daou, one of the audience members.
    The show will run at the Beiteddine Festival on August 3 and August 4.
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