Theatre in Lebanon
Encyclopedia
Theatre in Lebanon has its origin in passion plays
. The musical plays of Maroun Naccache from the mid-1800s are considered the birth of modern Arab theatre. Some scholars like Abdulatif Shararah divided theatre in Lebanon into three phases: translations of European plays, Arab nationalism, and realism.
, catered to the Francophone
communities of Lebanon.
's Cadmus that was published in 1944 was considered another important contribution to the development of theatre in Lebanon due to its nationalistic theme.
was the only city in the Arab world that enjoyed "true freedom of expression," theatrical productions flourished in lebanon in the 1960s. The National Theatre was founded in 1960, paving the way for the emergence of a number of theatrical troops, including the Rahbani brothers
and their star, Fairuz
. Le Théâtre de Dix-Heures
, focusing on comedy, was established in 1962 by Gaston Chikhani, Pierre Gédéon, Abdallah Nabbout and Edmond Hanania. One of the most important plays of the decade was Issam Mahfouz's Zinzalakht, which was written in the Lebanese vernacular. Mahfouz is credited for sparking the creative elements of many playwrights and actors, such as Raymound Gebara, Jalal Khoury, Nidal Achkar, and Antoine Courbage.
By the mid sixties, the Rahbani theatre had become very extravagant. It was reported that in order to stage the musical, Fakhr al-Din (1966), 200 performers, 30 dancers and a 30-piece orchestra were hired while the costumes alone cost 50,000 L.L.
. Roger Assaf, Nidal Achkar, and Antoine and Latifa Multaka were experimenting with avant garde theatre in the early 1970s. The internationally renowned Caracalla Dance Theatre
was founded in 1970. Romeo Lahoud produced a series of musicals starring, Salwa Al Katrib
, such as Singof Singof in 1974 and Bint El Jabal in 1977. The Rahbani brothers also continued staging musicals, like Ya'ish Ya' ish (1970) and Sahh al-Nawm (1971), especially at the Piccadilly Theater on Hamra Street.
. A series of plays that centered around the folkloric character, the fool of Chanay, were produced by Nabih Abou Al Hosen and staged at the theatre of Casino du Liban. Also, Romeo Lahoud continued to produce musicals with Salwa Al Katrib
and so did the Rahbani brothers who introduced new singers to the public, the sisters Ronza and Fadia Tomb.
Nidal Al Achkar established Al Madina Theater Association for Arts and Culture in 2005, renovating the Saroulla Cinema, which was built in the late sixties on Hamra Street, and turning it into a multidisciplinary platform. Al Achkar's renovation of Saroulla created hope among artists that other theaters on Hamra Street, such as Piccadilly Theatre, would also be restored to their former glory. Al Madina Theatre was credited for bringing back traces of high culture to Hamra Street that was the cultural hub of Beirut before the war. In 2011, The Maqamat Dance Theater also opened on Hamra Street in 2011, providing a new contemporary dance space and furthering Hamra's cultural and art-scene revival.
Provocative playwrights, like Rabih Mroue who wrote How Nancy Hoped it Was All an April Fool's Joke in 2007 dealt with political problems that addressed the issues that divide the country.
In 2008, Zeina Daccache, a television comedian and head of The Lebanese Centre for Drama Therapy, presented 12 Angry Lebanese that starred prisoners from the infamous, maximum-security Roumieh Prison. Daccache and a group of prisoners adapted the play from Reginald Rose's Twelve Angry Men and then staged it at the prison in a makeshift theatre. Socialites, the Prosecutor General and the Minister of Interior were among the guests and other prisoners present at the premier.
Théâtre de Beyrouth, a vestige of pre-war Beirut, was a small theatre known for its cutting-edge productions and performances in varioius languages, Arabic, French, and English. Another active theatre, with more than 60 performances per year, is Monot Theater, presenting local French-language programming but also international acts, such as the Danish, Svalholm Dans' "Imago Poetry and Performing Arts" in 2011.
Lebanese dancer-choreographer Georgette Gebara was conferred with the new honourary membership of the International Theatre Institute at the 33rd ITI World Congress that was held in China in 2011.
Passion play
A Passion play is a dramatic presentation depicting the Passion of Jesus Christ: his trial, suffering and death. It is a traditional part of Lent in several Christian denominations, particularly in Catholic tradition....
. The musical plays of Maroun Naccache from the mid-1800s are considered the birth of modern Arab theatre. Some scholars like Abdulatif Shararah divided theatre in Lebanon into three phases: translations of European plays, Arab nationalism, and realism.
Passion Plays
The dramatic presentation of the Passion of Jesus Christ was a traditional practice during Lent among the Christian communities in Lebanon. Additionally, passion plays, depicting the events of Karbala, were also common among the Shia of Lebanon. Passion plays, whether Christian or Shia, were events centered around village life. In villages, it was not uncommon for Christians to participate in minor roles in Shia passion plays and vice versa.1800s
The first theatrical production, which was by Maroun Naccache, was performed in Beirut in 1846. On a visit to Italy in late 1846, Maroun Naccache was exposed to theatre and upon his return to Lebanon, he wrote an Arabic adaptation of L'Avare (Al Bakhil). The increase of theatrical productions is evident in advertisements for plays and critical reviews that appeared in the publication of the arts magazine, Thamrat Al Funun, starting in 1875.1900s
The Naccache plays paved the road. By the turn of the century, theatre became a "customary form of entertainement," overcoming the initial objection of the Church regarding dramatic arts. As part of the end of the academic year, universities in Beirut staged theatrical productions. In 1903, Julius Caesar was staged at the American University of Beirut followed by Hamlet in 1905.1910s
The contributiosn of expatriate literary figures such as, Mikhael Naimy of the New York Pen League who wrote the play, Fathers and Sons in 1916, were an important factor in the acceptance of the literary genre in Lebanon.1920s
The Grand Théâtre, built in 1927 on Rue Amir Bachir in Beirut Central DistrictBeirut Central District
The Beirut Central District or Centre Ville is the name given to Beirut’s historical and geographical core, the “vibrant financial, commercial, and administrative hub of the country.” At the heart of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut Central District is an area thousands of years old, traditionally a...
, catered to the Francophone
Francophone
The adjective francophone means French-speaking, typically as primary language, whether referring to individuals, groups, or places. Often, the word is used as a noun to describe a natively French-speaking person....
communities of Lebanon.
1940s
Said AklSaid Akl
Said Akl is a Lebanese poet, writer, and playwright. He is considered one of the most important modern Lebanese poets. He is also a staunch advocate of Lebanese identity and nationalism and the Lebanese language, designing a Latin-based Lebanese alphabet made up of 37 letters.-Early life:Akl was...
's Cadmus that was published in 1944 was considered another important contribution to the development of theatre in Lebanon due to its nationalistic theme.
1950s
One of the most important playwrights of the 1950s was Said Takieddine whose one-act play, The Outcast (1953), was acclaimed. This period also witnessed the flourishing of the Armenian Lebanese theatre that was heralded by Kaspar Ipekian and later George Sarkisian.1960s
Due to the fact that BeirutBeirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
was the only city in the Arab world that enjoyed "true freedom of expression," theatrical productions flourished in lebanon in the 1960s. The National Theatre was founded in 1960, paving the way for the emergence of a number of theatrical troops, including the Rahbani brothers
Rahbani brothers
The Rahbani Brothers , Assi Rahbani and Mansour Rahbani , were Lebanese composers, musicians, songwriters, authors, playwrights/dramatists, philosophers, and poets...
and their star, Fairuz
Fairuz
Nouhad Wadi Haddad , famously known as Fairuz is a Lebanese singer who is widely considered to be the most famous living singer in the Arab world and one of the best known of all time...
. Le Théâtre de Dix-Heures
Théâtre de Dix-Heures
Le Théâtre de Dix-Heures was a Lebanese theatrical group specialising in comedy, which functioned between 1962 and 1978 before being revived in 1986.-History:...
, focusing on comedy, was established in 1962 by Gaston Chikhani, Pierre Gédéon, Abdallah Nabbout and Edmond Hanania. One of the most important plays of the decade was Issam Mahfouz's Zinzalakht, which was written in the Lebanese vernacular. Mahfouz is credited for sparking the creative elements of many playwrights and actors, such as Raymound Gebara, Jalal Khoury, Nidal Achkar, and Antoine Courbage.
By the mid sixties, the Rahbani theatre had become very extravagant. It was reported that in order to stage the musical, Fakhr al-Din (1966), 200 performers, 30 dancers and a 30-piece orchestra were hired while the costumes alone cost 50,000 L.L.
1970s
By the early seventies, at least five theatrical companies had gained mass appeal in LebanonLebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. Roger Assaf, Nidal Achkar, and Antoine and Latifa Multaka were experimenting with avant garde theatre in the early 1970s. The internationally renowned Caracalla Dance Theatre
Caracalla Dance Theatre
The Caracalla Dance Theatre is an internationally renowned dance company based in Beirut, Lebanon.-History:Abdel-Halim Caracalla founded the Caracalla Dance Theatre in 1970. He envisioned creating a new language in dance that merged Western and Oriental techniques...
was founded in 1970. Romeo Lahoud produced a series of musicals starring, Salwa Al Katrib
Salwa Al Katrib
Salwa Al Katrib or Salwa Al Qatrib, Salwa Katrib , was a Lebanese singer best known for her roles in Emerald Princess and Mountain Girl . She was the wife of Nahi Lahoud and the mother of aspiring Lebanese actress and singer Aline Lahoud...
, such as Singof Singof in 1974 and Bint El Jabal in 1977. The Rahbani brothers also continued staging musicals, like Ya'ish Ya' ish (1970) and Sahh al-Nawm (1971), especially at the Piccadilly Theater on Hamra Street.
1980s
Despite the war, theatrical productions continued albeit moving from Beirut to safer locations in the northern suburbs and the coastal city of JouniehJounieh
Jounieh is a Mediterranean coastal city about 16 kilometers north of Beirut, Lebanon. Jounieh is known for its seaside resorts, pubs, restaurants and nightclubs, as well as its old stone souk, ferry, and cablecar , which takes passengers up the mountain to the shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in...
. A series of plays that centered around the folkloric character, the fool of Chanay, were produced by Nabih Abou Al Hosen and staged at the theatre of Casino du Liban. Also, Romeo Lahoud continued to produce musicals with Salwa Al Katrib
Salwa Al Katrib
Salwa Al Katrib or Salwa Al Qatrib, Salwa Katrib , was a Lebanese singer best known for her roles in Emerald Princess and Mountain Girl . She was the wife of Nahi Lahoud and the mother of aspiring Lebanese actress and singer Aline Lahoud...
and so did the Rahbani brothers who introduced new singers to the public, the sisters Ronza and Fadia Tomb.
Present
The majority of theatres in Lebanese are based in the capital The sons of Mansour Rahbani continued in the tradition of their father and have produced several musicals that were staged in Baalbeck, Byblos and overseas.Nidal Al Achkar established Al Madina Theater Association for Arts and Culture in 2005, renovating the Saroulla Cinema, which was built in the late sixties on Hamra Street, and turning it into a multidisciplinary platform. Al Achkar's renovation of Saroulla created hope among artists that other theaters on Hamra Street, such as Piccadilly Theatre, would also be restored to their former glory. Al Madina Theatre was credited for bringing back traces of high culture to Hamra Street that was the cultural hub of Beirut before the war. In 2011, The Maqamat Dance Theater also opened on Hamra Street in 2011, providing a new contemporary dance space and furthering Hamra's cultural and art-scene revival.
Provocative playwrights, like Rabih Mroue who wrote How Nancy Hoped it Was All an April Fool's Joke in 2007 dealt with political problems that addressed the issues that divide the country.
In 2008, Zeina Daccache, a television comedian and head of The Lebanese Centre for Drama Therapy, presented 12 Angry Lebanese that starred prisoners from the infamous, maximum-security Roumieh Prison. Daccache and a group of prisoners adapted the play from Reginald Rose's Twelve Angry Men and then staged it at the prison in a makeshift theatre. Socialites, the Prosecutor General and the Minister of Interior were among the guests and other prisoners present at the premier.
Théâtre de Beyrouth, a vestige of pre-war Beirut, was a small theatre known for its cutting-edge productions and performances in varioius languages, Arabic, French, and English. Another active theatre, with more than 60 performances per year, is Monot Theater, presenting local French-language programming but also international acts, such as the Danish, Svalholm Dans' "Imago Poetry and Performing Arts" in 2011.
Lebanese dancer-choreographer Georgette Gebara was conferred with the new honourary membership of the International Theatre Institute at the 33rd ITI World Congress that was held in China in 2011.