Displayed in Yemen The “ravished olive” takes people back in history

By Zaid al-Alaya’a

Yemen Observer

If people cared to reflect upon the upheaval which is enthralling the Arab World they will realize that what is now known as the “Arab Spring” is actually no more than an “Arab Autumn”.

The Ravished Olive, a play written by Ibrahim al-Masri and Ro’a Hamoud is an allegory of the present situation and the effects it had on the Palestinian cause, which for months has been completely overshadowed by the region many uprisings and crises.

The drama which was directed by Ahmed al-Ma’amri, led people to tear up; such was the intensity level of the actors’ performance.

The play which lasted 45 minutes, cleverly made use of names which Arabs would easily relate to, enhancing the audience ability to empathize with the actors and loses itself in the performance.

The plot revolves around a woman called Arabia (‘Orobah) who because of her financial difficulties was forced to borrow money from Balfour. Arabia pawned her husband, Majd’ sword (glory) in exchange for the cash. After a while Balfour demanded his money back plus interest. For he was powerful and disgraceful, Balfour violently abused Zituna (Olive), Arabia’s daughter. In the end, Arabia aided by her sister and cousin, took revenge upon Balfour by killing him and reclaiming the sword as hers.

More striking were the special effects and use of songs in the play as it really brought forward the suffering of the Palestinian people, leading great many spectators to sob over the martyrdom of Palestine.

Mohamed Saleh in the audience reported that the play was a perfect illustration of the many issues faced by the Palestinians and to an extent the Arab World.

“It is very sad when you see countries in Europe and America which stand united when we, in the Arab World continue to be divided. Those who most of all are benefiting from our oppositions are the very one we should be fighting off, the Israeli. In this play it is the children of Palestine who are depicted; it is their suffering and desperation which is being overlooked.  What we saw, what we witnessed through the tale of Arabia and Zituna is a reflection of what Israel did to Palestine. It took our land and brutalized our people in all impunity; it stigmatized a millennia old culture before the international community without raising an eye-brow for Israel continues to bank on its genocide complex.  Despite the simplicity of the theater decorations and its low-key feel throughout, it still managed to deeply impact the audience, leaving its spectators to ponder over the tale of a people, the tale of a nation, the tale of the Arab World.

In a simplified classical Arabic, “the ravished Olive” captured the essence of Palestine, a simple yet powerful and strong people which beauty needs no accessory. The play was performed for the first time on Monday 21st, 2011 at the Syrian Culture Center and was produced by the Springs of Innovation (Manb’a al-Abda’a) Band.

Beyond the story of a family it is Palestine and its relations towards Israel as well as a rendition of the Arab countries relations to one another which is being exposed and denounced.

An exposé of how nations which share a common history, culture, heritage and beliefs are letting petty arguments and greed get in the way of unity and greatness. How by fighting one another the Arab World only manages to weaken itself to the benefit of its enemy.

The tale of a nation under siege humiliated and abused by those who would like to see it wither away and disappear.

The Reaction

Ahmed al-Ma’mri, the Director, said the text of the play had been modified many times for he wanted to get the right tone.  “I decided to show the play for I wanted to show people how the Arab World should stand in the face of adversity, as together we stand stronger.

I wanted people to experience the plight of the Palestinian people who every day for several decades have had to endure injustice.

Arab nations continue to conspire against one another when they should help and assist each other.

Through my play I wanted to send a strong wake up call but also convey a message of hope for all Arab nations,” said al-Ma’mri.

Mujeeb al-Sosi, a Syrian scholar working at the Syrian Culture Center said that despite its simplistic narrative style, the play managed to arouse nationalistic sentiments reminiscent of the agreement of Sykes–Picot and Balfour that on so many levels have become relevant.

 The leading roles in the play were performed by Ro’a Hamoud, Abdul-Aziz al-Ba’adani, Marwa Khaled, Marwa al-Thamri.