There will be a BSL interpreted performance at 6pm on Sunday. If you have already booked for another date and would prefer to attend this show, please contact info@stonenest.org

Please note, seating is a mixture of chairs and floor cushions. Please let us know when booking if you would be more comfortable in a chair.

Medea, but not as you know her. This bold reimagining of the infamous Greek myth draws on the eroding infrastructures of fact in a digital world, to re-imagine Medea for an era of tech-driven authoritarianism.

In Sulayman Al Bassam’s award winning new text, Medea figures as an educated and outspoken Arab woman, living in a secular European state, with a powerful social media following. Finding herself at odds with the populist ruler for her outspoken political views, Medea re-directs the tools of state surveillance put upon her to re-enact the violence of history, accumulated over generations.

Performed by award winning Franco-Syrian actress, Hala Omran, and accompanied by a mesmerising live score performed by Lebanese electro-acoustic duo, “Two, Or the Dragon”, the performance lies midway between a live rock concert and hi-concept slam poetry session.

I M E D E A has generated exceptional reactions from audiences and critics alike as it continues its world tour.

Sulayman Al Bassam (Writer & Director) is widely recognised as one of the world's leading contemporary Arab theatre makers. Al Bassam's work explores themes of identity, war and individual sovereignty often set against the backdrop of civilizational overlap and tension between the Arab-Islamic world and the West. Collaborating with multinational performers and creative teams, Al Bassam's productions are characterised by a radical approach to text and provocative combinations of content and form.

Writing in English and directing in Arabic, English, French and German, Al Bassam’s work has been presented by leading international venues including BAM, Tokyo International Festival, Sydney Festival, Holland Festival and others.

Shubbak Festival is the UK’s premier festival of contemporary Arab arts and culture.

Cutting-edge artists feature alongside distinguished names in its ambitious programmes of premieres and new commissions. With a vibrant mix of theatre, dance, film, music, literature and debates, Shubbak showcases the diversity and innovation of contemporary Arab arts and culture, and celebrates what makes it distinctive to itself.  

Directed by Sulayman Al Bassam.
Performed by Hala Omran.
Generously supported by Arts Council England.

Full cast and credits:
Text & Direction Sulayman: Al Bassam
Scenography & Lighting: Eric Soyer
Performers: Hala Omran, Abed Kobeissi, Ali Hout, Oussama Jamei, Sulayman Al Bassam
Music: Two, or the Dragon
Surtitles Director & Company Manager: Wafa Al Fraheen
Sound: Mathilde D'Haussy
Second Lighting Designer: Saad Samir
Admin Manager: Saif Al Areef
Production Manager: Oussama Jamei