Richard III - An Arab Tragedy

Richard III, as an Arab – in Arabic. An adaptation. No, an extrapolation. An extension, and a statement about how we can be seen to be: Negative, and without room for hope. A slap. A scream. Felt and heard at the heart of Shakespeare's legacy. Juxtaposed in harmony. Executed by competence. Enriched by creativity. It melts pride into doubts and questions. It challenges, provokes, insults, and attacks.

It opened with Margret stating (in a generic badawi dialect - ...انا مارقرت):

“I am Margret. You needn’t be concerned about me. We lost. It is your right to ignore me. I would ignore myself if my history let me. I don’t want your loans, your gifts, your reconstruction grants. I don’t want your pity: we lost. All I ask from you is not to question my thirst for revenge: it is not because I am Arab – I have a degree. And anyway, my name is not Margaret. But our history is so awful, even the victors have changed their names.”

And so started the discontent of Sulayman Al-Bassam’s (سليمان البسام) take on Richard III. I thought that we walked in prepared, but our defenses were conquered within a few minutes. The intimate stage left no room for distractions. The amazing cast delivered with power, and engaged even at moments of stereotyped melodrama. The creative script transformed Richard III into current reality, and maintained attention. The live musicians, with authentic Kuwaiti/Arabic instruments (mirwas, taar, oud - consulted by سليمان القصار) mixed by an audio wizard (Lewis Gibson), amplified the mood and engulfed. An ominous set of monitors in a dark corner of the set reminded all of the time this play was set. The actors, dressed in costumes, designed by Abdulla Al-Awadi (عبدالله العوضي), also snapped us into believing this time-shift. From Margret’s (Amal Omarn - أمل عمران) dark trailing gown, to the ridiculous poodle-shaped hand bag worn with pride by nouveaux-riche Lady Anne (Nadine Joma’a - نادين جمعة).

I was entranced, but kept taking the slaps. Eyes widened, and jaw dropped at some scenes – most of them delivered strong by Fayez Kazak (فايز كازاك) as Emir Gloucester, and then convincingly as Richard III. I felt for the downfall of Carole Abboud’s (كارول عبود) Queen Elizabeth. Jassim Al-Nabhan (جاسم النبهان), added grace as Emir Clarence, then as Stanley, in a ridiculously funny scene set in a TV studio, where Richard acts coy about his ascension. I cracked in laughter when Monadhil Daood (مناضل داوود) came out as an ailing King Edward IV from a time of simplicity, when dates were an answer to all ills. The versatile Bashar Abdullah (بشار عبدالله) and Faisal Al-Ameeri (فيصل الاميري) kept things rolling with dynamism.

We were lucky to have seen this production in Startford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare. At a follow-on discussion, Jassim Al-Nabhan was emotional when he told the audience how appreciative he was to be there in the autumn of his career – at a place that honours the tradition of theatre.

So, where will this talent go next? They said to a few festivals – Amsterdam, Japan, maybe Qatar. When asked why not Kuwait. Sulayman said it’s because of infrastructure, not politics. Will it be recorded? Maybe. He thought it might be a good way to reach more people. I think the play would lose a lot of its engagement if not watched live. I hope they do get it to Kuwait, and to even more places. I’m proud of their achievement, and impressed by their creativity and passion.

So, to Sulayman, Georgina Van Welie (producer), Sandra Al-Saleh (assistant director), and the great cast and team, thanks! And a special thank-you to Abdulla Al-Awadi who took great care of us! We had an amazing time! I wish you all the very best, and hope to see you again soon.

More info: Royal Shakepeare Company, Al-Bassam Theatre

If this sounded like a promotion for the play, well then perhaps it is. I would love for more people to know about this. I stayed away from stating the substance of the play - waring tribes, and how Richard is helped by the West. I won't, because I want you to experiance it.

They are an amazing cast and team working with material that is original and fresh, so I wish more can witness them in action. Kuwaiti, Arab, or any: this is a play to experiance as a human being. Very current, and provoking.

Look for them.

Pictures (from the programme): Nawaf Al-Ali Photography