Theaterformen: When I saw the Sea

In the organizer's words:

When I saw the Sea - Ali Chahrour, Beirut

Together with three real-life heroines, Ali Chahrour raises his voice against structures of injustice in this musical and dance piece about love, motherhood, war, exile and home. The kafala system, which is similar to serfdom, and racism in Lebanon are the reason why migrant workers are repeatedly killed by suicide and domestic violence. In times of crisis, this injustice is not only exacerbated, but also becomes more visible: they are left on the streets - homeless, unpaid and without identity papers. Some survivors have remained despite their precarious legal status and are putting up resistance. When I saw the Sea shows the abuses of this repressive labor system and at the same time pays tribute to the courage of those who fight for justice and freedom. The three activists Zena Moussa, Tenei Ahmad and Rania Jamal not only tell their own stories on stage, they also tell the stories of many others who stand between a burning country and the Mediterranean.

Ali Chahrour is a dancer and choreographer. Born and raised in Beirut, the city forms the center and starting point of his work. Far removed from Western models, Ali Chahrour has created an artistic language inspired by Arab myths and the political, social and religious contexts of Lebanon. Based on personal experiences and in collaboration with the performers, power structures and the realities of life are revealed and reflected upon. Ali Chahrour combines dance elements with Arabic chanting and explores the relationship between body and movement, tradition and modernity.

Direction, choreography Ali Chahrour Performance Zena Moussa, Tenei Ahmad, Rania Jamal Music Lynn Adib, Abed Kobeissy Scenography Guillaume Tesson, Ali Chahrour Assistant director, communication management Chadi Aoun Lighting design, Technical direction Guillaume Tesson Assistant technical director Pol Seif Sound design Benoît Rave Graphic design Christina Atik Text editing Hala Omran Production Ali Chahrour Production management Christel Salem, Chadi Aoun French translation Marianne Noujeim Photos Lea Skayem

A co-production of Le Festival d'Avignon, Ibsen Scope, HAU Hebbel am Ufer, Berlin, Arab fund for arts and culture (AFAC), Al Mawred al Thaqafi, DeSingel Antwerp, Domino Zagreb / Perforations Festival, Holland Festival, Zürcher Theater Spektakel and Al Madina Theater.

With the kind support of Beryte Theater, L'Institut Français de Beyrouth, Wicked Solutions, WASL Productions, Beit el Laffé, Orient 499, Raseef, Beirut and Houna center.