The play “Tanfise” was banned yesterday by the Cultural Bureau for criticizing the presidency and government. However, this didn’t stop the performers.
The play, directed by Awad Awad, was supposed to be performed on Al Madina Theater yesterday, as part of the Mishkal festival.
Mishkal is a festival that Al Madina theatre does every year, which consists of various drama and acting workshops, and performances for the participants to practice what they learned.
This year, the workshops were focused on drama therapy, to help young actors aged 18-25 to find a way to cope with their traumas through artistic expression.
The manager of the theatre Nidal al Ashkar clarified to Annahar that they did not get a license because the play was the conclusion of this year’s Mishkal workshops.
Following the interruption by the security forces, the actors went out and performed on the street in front of the theatre in Hamra, chanting and singing to express their anger.
Al Ashkar also added to Annahar that the workshop was being attended by the parents of the participants. While they decided not to perform the play today, Mishkal will still go on.