One hundred year ago, with red and blue pencils in hand, British diplomat Mark Sykes and French counterpart François Georges-Picot met over a map and set about drawing borders in very straight lines, dividing the Middle East to suit their respective interests.
The effects of the colonial carve up resonate into the present as history finds meaning with a new theatrical work where history is imagined through spoken word poetry and prose, parkour movement and qanunic music. Into this world of ever-shifting borders and alliances, the audience will enter into the allegory of the Cartographer and his family.
The chaos in which these imposed boundaries was forged speaks to layers of complexity. The stage is set for a battle of ideals against a backdrop of resistance, duplicity and disaster. Here we witness the effects of power and greed, on not only maps and borders, but also on families and freedom.
Written and directed by Paula Abood, The Cartographer’s Curse features Ludwig El Haddad, Ghassan Hage, Ali Kadhim, Zainab Kadhim, Alissar Gazal, and Mohamed Lelo.
“This ensemble captures the very best of Arab Australian artistry in all its different expression,” said Director Paula Abood. “Each performer in The Cartographer’s Curse brings a particular prowess and this makes for an exciting performance.”
Paula Abood is a community cultural development practitioner, writer, creative producer and educator. She has written and directed for performance, radio, publications and film. Paula has completed a PhD and is currently working with culturally diverse communities in creative projects across Western Sydney.
Paula was awarded the 2007 Western Sydney Artists’ Fellowship for the blogging project Race and the City and was the 2013 recipient of the Australia Council’s Ros Bower Award for lifetime achievement in community cultural development practice.
Writer / Director: Paula Abood Featuring: Alissar Gazal, Ludwig El Haddad, Ghassan Hage, Ali Kadhim, Zainab Kadhim Musician: Mohamed Lelo Assistant Director: Claudia Chidiac Dramaturgy: Barry Gamba Production Design: Jerome Pearce Lighting Design: Frank Mainoo Sound Design: Oonagh Sherrard Production Manager: Damion Holling Poet: Sara Saleh
The Cartographer’s Curse
Lennox Theatre – Riverside Theatres, Corner Church and Market Streets, Parramatta
Season: 5 – 8 October 2016
Information and Bookings: www.riversideparramatta.com.au
Image: The Cartographers Curse (supplied)