Beirut, Lebanon (The (B)IM Project) July/ August 2010 -- On August 9 2010, an early evening theatre performance at the old Tripoli Train Station will launch the third tour of The (B)IM Project, an exciting and avant-garde initiative exploring Lebanese theatre. “The principal mission is to animate Lebanese stories through free, site specific performances,” said Denise Maroney, producer of The (B)IM Project.
Formerly known as Books in Motion and launched in 2009 under the umbrella of UNESCO, the dynamic theatre company has produced two successful site-specific festivals. In the summer of 2009, the company adapted two books into interactive, improvised pieces and performed in public streets across Lebanon. In the winter of 2010, the company took the summer shows indoors, performing for children cancer patients in hospitals across Lebanon.
The upcoming 3rd festival will perform in Lebanon’s abandoned train stations. The piece is based on a thrilling legend surrounding the Riyak train station. Critically acclaimed writer and director Lucien Bourjeily adapts this legend into an interactive play set in the 1950s and performed in colloquial Arabic. A company of 5 Lebanese actors will devise a piece using improvisation and puppetry to create engaging and interactive theatre within the derelict train stations.
“The train stations that we discovered are a real treasure; I’ve always lived in Lebanon but I never knew that such gorgeous stations were still here standing the test of time, wars, and decades of negligence. Everyone should have the opportunity to experience theses stations. They tell a lot about our past, and the history of Lebanon in the 20th century,” says Bourjeily.
Beginning in Tripoli train station, the (B)IM project will move across Mar Mikael and Choueit Araya before ending the tour with a performance at the Riyak station on September 4, 2010.
While Lebanon has no shortage of artistic festivals and initiatives, rarely are these cultural events offered outside of a traditional theatre or performance space.
“(B)IM brings theatre to unusual places often overlooked or not considered appropriate for theatre. Lebanese train stations are forgotten jewels and this year’s festival will offer audiences a new perspective into their heritage,” Maroney explained.
This is the first theatre festival to take place in the Lebanese train stations. Tickets are free, but reservations are required. For more information on how to reserve, visit Facebook invitation: "AYA SE3A BYOUSSAL EL TREN ?" OR www.booksinmotionbeirut.com
Contact
Telephone | +961.70.517.937
Website | http://www.
Email | theBIMproject@Gmail.com
Facebook Event | AYA SE3A BYOUSSAL EL TREN ?"
Cast | Tarek Chemaly, Raouf Khelifa, Dima Matta, Sleiman Mortada & Maya Saebaly
Director | Lucien Bourjeily
Producer | Denise Maroney
In Collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the Lebanese Train Syndicate, Elias Maallouf (President,Train/Train NGO), improBeirut and VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts Association)
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Duration | 1 hour, start time at 7 PM
For details about reservations & free transportation to sites please visit Facebook Invitation“AYA SE3A BYOUSSAL EL TREN?” or email theBIMproject@gmail.com
Monday, August 9, 2010 … Tripoli Train Station
Wednesday, August 18, 2010… Mar Mikael Train Station
Sunday, August 29, 2010… Choueit Araya Train Station
Saturday, September 4, 2010… Riyak Train Station
