Hadda and Hassan Lekliches!
2012
Oran Mor Glasgow and Traverse Theatre Edinburgh
Ben was invited by David Greig to direct this play by Jaouad Essounani, the Moroccan playwright feted for his controversial texts questioning the realities of contemporary Morocco, as part of the NTS/Oran Mor One Day in Spring season.
After discussions with David Greig and a visit to meet with Jaouad in Rabat it was agreed to combine his two plays Hassan Lekliches! and Confidences into one intertwined piece which examines the cliches present in both Moroccan and western society about young Arab men and young Arab women.
Presented in stand-up style with the bare minimum of props, the production featured stunning performances by Juliana Yazbeck as Hadda (making her UK theatre debut) and El Razzougbi as Hassan, video by Tim Reid and live percussion and musical arrangements by Dave Boyd.