After the Trojan Women, a new full-length play by Amena Shehab and Joanna Blundell brings together the captivating story of the journeys of Syrian refugees and Trojan women, sharing their tales of resilience and sisterhood. Set against the backdrop of war-torn Syria and the ancient ruins of Troy, we witness how their lives intersect, revealing a spirit that endures through time. It’s a moving exploration of the strength found in women’s stories across generations, reminding us of our shared humanity.
Inspired by Euripides’ ancient play, The Trojan Women, Shehab and Blundell’s play After the Trojan Women explores the strange coincidence that modern Syrian women and the Trojan women both find themselves on the west coast of Turkey, the site of ancient Troy, about to cross the Mediterranean Sea to a new life in Greece or beyond. Through their intertwined experiences, this play explores the profound connections and the suffering of women in war that span generations.
A story about generations of women connected through war, reminding us of our shared humanity
For four performances only, Pleiades Theatre and the Canadian Arabic Orchestra – Maple Arts, as part of the Festival of Arabic Music and Arts, present this staged reading at the Unitarian Congregation in Mississauga on Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29, 2023; and at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in Toronto on Wednesday, November 8 and Thursday, November 9, 2023. After the Trojan Women was directed by Rahaf Fasheh. The cast includes Roula Said, Saja Kilani, Hiyam Mahrat, Basima Takrouri, May Tartoussy, Roselyn Kelada-Sedra and Zaynna Khalife.
“Women have been leading laments since before the war began; after the soldiers are back in the dark earth, now the women remain.”
About Pleiades Theatre
Pleiades Theatre’s mission is to redefine what it means to be “Canadian” by sharing stories from first- and second-generation Canadians with each other, Tkaronto (Toronto) and the world. Their mandate is to encourage first- and second-generation storytellers, particularly artists of colour, but through intersectionality also Deaf artists, artists with disabilities, artists living with mental illness, New Gen artists, 2SLBTQIAP artists, and Indigenous artists.
About the Festival of Arabic Music & Arts
The Festival of Arabic Music & Arts is an annual festival in the GTA featuring concerts and performances from Arab and non-Arab artists. It is produced by the founders of the Canadian Arabic Orchestra (CAO) – Maple Arts, musicians Lamees Audeh and Wafa Al Zaghal. CAO connects people through music, celebrates the diversity of Canada’s cultural mosaic with classical Arabic music from all corners of the Arab world and presents a fusion of classical western and other world music.
(Photo credits: Pleiades Theatre/Festival of Arabic Music & Arts)
Event details
Hosted by: Pleiades Theatre, in partnership with the Canadian Arabic Orchestra – Maple Arts, as part of the Festival of Arabic Music & Arts
Type of event: staged play reading
Written by: Amena Shehab and Joanna Blundell, with dramaturgy by Ash Knight
Director: Rahaf Fasheh
Cast: Roula Said, Saja Kilani, Hiyam Mahrat, Basima Takrouri, May Tartoussy, Roselyn Kelada-Sedra and Zaynna Khalife.
Dates & times:
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- Saturday, October 28 @ 7:30 PM ET (Unitarian Congregation in Mississauga)
- Sunday, October 29 @ 6:00 PM ET (Unitarian Congregation in Mississauga)
- Wednesday, November 8 @ 7:30 PM ET (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Toronto)
- Thursday, November 9 @ 7:30 PM ET (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Toronto)
Duration: TBA
Cost: Pay-what-you-can; you can book in advance or purchase at the door
Locations:
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- Sat, Oct. 28 & Sun, Oct. 29: Unitarian Congregation in Mississauga, 84 S Service Road, Mississauga, ON, L5G 2R9
- Wed, Nov. 8 & Thu, Nov. 9: Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander Street, Toronto, ON, M4Y 1B4
Booking links:
Contact Details: Pleiades Theatre; S30 – 401 Richmond Street West, Toronto, ON, M5V 3A8, Canada; 416-203-1227; info@pleiadestheatre.org, pleiadestheatre.org
Accessibility: For the Unitarian Congregation in Mississauga, please contact them at 905-278-5622.
Accessibility: Buddies in Bad Times Theatre accessibility info here.
Refund policy: Please contact the organizer.