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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'Gaza 2008: A Palestinian journalist writes poetry on the beach. A doctor must decide to stay or leave. Then come the missiles and the phosphorus showers.
This is the furious and tender exploration of the fragility of freedom. The national collides with the personal as activism and reporting take to the stage. Tales of a City by the Sea uses poetry, tenderness and humour to explore the love between those who have choices, and those who do not. Language fails us when it comes to displacement and grief; yet Samah Sabawi's language cracks grief open and remains present, like the sea' (publication blurb).
'A Palestinian story of love, separation and beautiful resistance.
Are your loved ones trapped behind the wall
Do they need the army’s permission
For their prayers to reach the sky
For their love to cross the ocean
And touch your thirsty heart
Are your loved ones trapped' (production blurb)
Notes
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Includes glossary of Arabic words and terms.
Production Details
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2014: La Mama Courthouse, St Kilda, Melbourne: 12-23 November
- Director Lech Mackiewicz; Producer La Mama Theatre; Assistant Director Izabella Mackiewicz; Set designer Lara Week; Lighting designer Shane Grant; Sound designer Khaled Sabsabi; Stage Manager James O’Donoghue; Assistant Stage Manager: Nada Mustapha.
- Cast: Nicole Chamon (Jomana), Osamah Sami (Rami), Emily Coupe (Lama), Majid Shokor (Abu Ahmed), Wahibe Moussa (Samira), Reece Vella (Ali), Aseel Tayeh (Singer), Ubaldino Mantelli (Mohanad/Homeland Security/Father in hospital) and Cara Whitehouse (Mother in hospital/Nurse)
2014: Aida Refugee Camp, Palestine; 22 November
- Director Abdelfattah Abusrour; Producer Alrowwad Cultural and Theatre Society; Set Designers Issa Ismael, Mahmoud Dyab and Issa Nour; Lighting/Sound Ahmed Ajarmah
- Cast: Amira Abusrour (Jomana), Ribal Alkurdi (Rami) Marwa Romy (Lama) Issa Mustapha (Ali/Homeland Security), Mohamad Shalan (Abu Ahmed), Hala Al-Yamani (Samira/Um Ahmed (voiceover); Issa Nour (Mohanad/Homeland Security)
2016: Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney seasons, beginning May 2016
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
-
Love in Gaza is Stripped Bare
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sunday Mail , 5 June 2016; (p. 85)
— Review of Tales of a City by the Sea 2014 single work drama -
Life Amid War in Focus
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 30 May 2016; (p. 17)
— Review of Tales of a City by the Sea 2014 single work drama -
School Drama a Love Story, Not Anti-Israel Propaganda, Says Playwright
2016
single work
column
— Appears in: The Australian , 10 May 2016; (p. 3) -
Love Story Plays Out under Gaza Conflict
2014
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 29 October 2014; (p. 50)
— Review of Tales of a City by the Sea 2014 single work drama
-
Love Story Plays Out under Gaza Conflict
2014
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 29 October 2014; (p. 50)
— Review of Tales of a City by the Sea 2014 single work drama -
Life Amid War in Focus
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 30 May 2016; (p. 17)
— Review of Tales of a City by the Sea 2014 single work drama -
Love in Gaza is Stripped Bare
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sunday Mail , 5 June 2016; (p. 85)
— Review of Tales of a City by the Sea 2014 single work drama -
School Drama a Love Story, Not Anti-Israel Propaganda, Says Playwright
2016
single work
column
— Appears in: The Australian , 10 May 2016; (p. 3)