A Developing Artists, Refuge Productions and Young Vic co-production
QUEENS OF SYRIA
A MODERN ADAPTATION OF EURIPIDES’
ANTI-WAR TRAGEDY
THE TROJAN WOMEN
A CAST OF SYRIAN REFUGEES WILL PERFORM
ACROSS THE UK FROM 5 JULY
‘I have a scream I want the world to hear’
Developing Artists presents Refuge Productions’ Queens of Syria, an adaptation of Euripides’ great anti-war tragedy, first staged in Amman in 2013 and the subject of an award-winning documentary.
An all-female cast of Syrian refugees skilfully amalgamate their own narratives of ferocious war and bitter exile with the ancient Greek text. Their experience of displacement and turmoil brings fresh relevance to Euripides’ tragedy. The powerful stage play is fused with scenes from the documentary to create a piece of extraordinary multimedia theatre.
Opening at the Young Vic Theatre in London from 5 – 9 July 2016, then visiting Oxford, Brighton, Liverpool, Leeds and Edinburgh, Queens of Syria comes to the UK for just three weeks. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the refugees themselves, and a revelatory experience for British audiences who will hear first-hand the harsh realities of life as a refugee.
Louise Chantal, Director of Oxford Playhouse, said, ‘It’s a privilege to be working with Developing Artists and Refuge Productions to help bring this important project to Oxford, both on film and on the stage. I can’t help thinking that The Queens of Syria might be the most important theatre project of the year.”
Cast members share their experiences of being involved in the original production:
“We came into a new society, a new way of life: we were isolated. Doing this play helped us break the ice; we started to connect with others and make friends. It gave us the courage we needed to talk about our problems frankly and clearly. We feel that we can do something for Syria, and the Syrian people, by sending a message to the whole world – hopefully someone can help us end this tragedy.” KHAULA
“Doing the play impacted our lives in so many ways – now we are all Trojan.” MAHA