Metro al-Madina: streaming to save the theater

In a tired voice interspersed with silences, Hicham Jaber, the founder and artistic director of the Metro al-Madina theater, presents his new project. The theater, which had barely moved from the Saroulla center to the Aresco Palace, has experienced only rare respites in its 12 years of existence. “We opened in 2012 and since then, the slaps have not stopped raining,” says calmly, in his muffled tone, the one who shook up the Lebanese scene with unusual, squeaky, hypnotic musicals, inspired by the urban tradition of Beirut and the golden age of Egyptian cinema, but also the absurd spectacle of political life in Lebanon. Metro al-Madina has also offered itself as a unique space of freedom, opening its stages to Sufi groups, great oud concert artists or independent musicians from all horizons of the Arab world.

“The arts are the first victims of crises and wars,” underlines Hicham Jaber, and lists the blows that paralyzed Metro al-Madina since its creation, until the venue was shut down on September 18 last, when the curtain fell on Deliciousthe latest piece to date. The public suffered these blows just as much. “Attacks, fights against Daesh, thaourafinancial crisis, Covid, explosion of August 4, 2020, and now war,” explains the director for whom only a period of grace, between 2014 and 2016, made it possible to consolidate the project. “It’s like a video game; we go through challenges to move on to the next level which gets harder and harder as we progress. But it will end eventually,” sighs Jaber. But beyond this hysterical game, we still have to pay the rent of the theater and the salaries of the employees. “As we can no longer give live shows, both because morale is not there and for obvious security reasons, we had to find a way to generate a little income. As in the time of Covid, streaming is the first idea that came to our minds,” explains Hicham Jaber.

“We are tired of living in chaos,” reads the caption in this screenshot from the show “Political Circus.”

“We have to get through this together”

Since November 1st (and until the 30th), it is therefore possible, on the Metro al-Madina website, to buy tickets as for an ordinary show, to gather your tribe and treat yourself to 1h30 of entertainment pure against a political caricature background. The choice of musical Political Circus imposed itself, explains the artistic director of the theater. “This show, given for the first time in 2017, seemed to us to be the most relevant for public broadcast in these times. Entirely composed and produced in-house, with the involvement of around forty people, between actors and technicians, it addresses the infernal loop in which political Lebanon has found itself, how it all began and how we always end up arriving there. where we are,” explains Hicham Jaber, himself the author and director of the play. “We were not going to offer Hichik Bichick or Bar Farouk », he adds, in reference to the theater’s two blockbusters, two musical and festive pieces as desired, which attracted thousands of spectators to the old cinema in the Saroulla basement, which has remained in its original state for years. 1960. In addition to online viewing, prospects of showing the play in theaters, between Montreal and Paris, are being studied.

Under the slogan “We must get through this together”, Metro al-Madina is holding on and preparing for what comes next, because stopping is not an option. “In 12-13 years, we have forged warm ties with our audience. We have woven beautiful stories together. We have searched the archives to produce stories from the past that speak to the present. This project will live as long as Beirut lives. As long as the city seeks this kind of breathing, these reflections that resemble it. This must not stop. Our country is like this, and ultimately we love it despite everything. People need to realize what they have. Let them treat him with more kindness,” Jaber pleads.

Mutual aid and new show on fire

While waiting for better days, the troop is campaigning for the displaced, whose numbers are growing day by day. This campaign, “Fi houb annazihin” (For the love of the displaced), has so far developed in three parts. The first focused on host schools, with a collection of basic necessities for arrivals. Now, aid is being directed to families sheltering in rented homes, who have lost all sources of income and who are not listed for assistance. Finally, fundraisers are organized in Montreal thanks to the Kaza Maza association.

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Under the big tent of satire and fantasy

And because, for the moment, the only possible horizon for Lebanese theater is the virtual experience, Hicham Jaber will continue with a new show to end the year. It will take the form of a television news program under the title Give your news.

For Metro al-Madina, the Lebanese political scene resembles a circus act. Screenshot

From the juggler’s promises to the tightrope walker’s ethics

As for Political Circusthis musical is a complete spectacle blending elements of fantasy, circus and magic to create a vibrant world where anything is possible. Accompanied by a lush orchestral score of classical compositions, folk music and jazz, the colorful citizens of Kherbet al-Ahlam (The Ruin of Dreams) prepare for the most anticipated event of the year: the major elections. However, there is only one candidate, Abu Fes, whose campaign manager dazzles the poor and the oppressed with grand promises of prosperity and change. Political Circus is punctuated by lively song and dance numbers, as the sole contestant competes against himself in a series of scandalous competitions – ranging from the promises of the juggler to the ethics of the tightrope walker. Although it has only been presented once at the Beiteddine festival, in 2017, the piece is remarkably timely. It illustrates how power and illusion collide with tragedy, pushing ruined citizens towards inevitable emigration.

“Political Circus”, November 1 to 30. Online tickets on the Metro al-Madina website.