Something Like Macbeth (2000)

Presented at the Beirut Theatre, Beirut , Lebanon in 2000

Inspired by William Shakespeare's tragedy of Macbeth

Written by: Omar Rajeh

Directed by: Majdi Bou-Matar

Performed by: Remon Hosni, Zei Khawli, Hisham Jaber and Housam Sharawani

Press Quotes

"This young director's innovation and adventurous approach strips Macbeth of its historical setting and travels with it across the centuries to our modern times, without distorting its main essence. Such approach adds an element of innovation, creativity and originality to the work Something Like Macbeth and allows the actors to merge with the dilemmas and dynamics of the character in the play as if they were their own... Bou-Matar makes his audience uncomfortable with their resignation and acceptance by stripping them of their pretenses and facades. His actors do not conceal their desires, and are thus always trying to taunt us out of our placidity."

- Al-Liwa', November 4, 2000

"Good and evil are represented in physical expression which relegates all other forms of expression including Shakespeare's language and the classical approach to a lesser role. All this is done in favor of the actor's role and his ability to suggest with body language struggling and gesture the fusion of conflicting, struggling and dissimilar bodies which attract and repel simultaneously, culminating in the commitment of crime."

- Al-Moustakbal, October 29, 2000

Translated from Arabic to English by Raghida Hamwi

Al-Anisah (Miss Julie)

Presented at Zico House and Theatre Monote, Beirut , Lebanon in 1999

An adaptation of August Strindberg's Miss Julie.

Directed by: Majdi Bou-Matar

Performed by: Zei Khawli

Press Quotes

"Bou-Matar sidelined John and Julie's relationship and concentrated on one persona. This is a very daring and important step on the behalf of a young director. Nonetheless, it is a note worthy decision."

Al-Liwa', Beirut , June 17, 1999

"Strindberg's "Miss Julie" is reduced to solely Julie by Majdi Bou-Matar. It is a beautiful and original idea, which turned the famous play into a monodrama with an unconventional setting."

Al-Safir, Beirut , June 16, 1999

"Mr. Bou-Matar's directorial vision of this work is rich in its implications and suggestibility... In the forty-five minute abridged adaptation of "Miss Julie", there was not a single dull moment."

Al-Mustakbal, Beiut, December 4, 1999

"Majdi Bou-Matar, the director of this abridged adaptation, was able to present it in a performance whose components consisted of Classical Arabic as a language and selections of Strindberg's text which he reconstructed in an original way worthy of a new generation who aspire to shape and bring into light a new and modern trend of theatre"

An-Nahar, Beirut , June 21, 1999

Translated from Arabic to English by Raghida Hamwi

Nijinsky, the Hour of his Wedding to the Lord, (1997)

Presented at Almadina Theatre, Beirut , Lebanon

Written by: Jalil Al-Qaisi

Directed by: Majdi Bou-Matar

Performed by: Omar Rajeh, Carol Aboud, Badih Abou Chakra, Basem Moughnieh, Hanin Abou Chakra, Reneh Deek, Ziad Ahmadieh, Naseeb Ahmadieh and Gilnar Wakeem

Press Quotes

"On a purely spectacle level, the dances are immortalized in the mind and the words echo, bringing forth the ugliness of our human condition."

The Daily Star, Beirut , June 30, 1997

"Bou-Matar's directorial adventure succeeds in illuminating a very difficult script with all its subtleties and nuances. This makes Mr. Bou-Matar's attempt a very promising one boding well for the future of Lebanese theatre"

Al-Kifah El-Arabi, Beirut , June, 1997

Translated from Arabic to English by Raghida Hamwi