All the world's their stage

March 1, 2009 6:08 AM

Twelve Angry Lebanese - inmates from Lebanon's infamous Roumieh Prison are putting on an adaptation of Twelve Angry Men - to stunning reviews.

An outstanding cast starring The Roumieh Prison, where elements of the extremist Fatah al-Islam are held alongside The Four Generals - former head of General Security Maj Gen Jamil al-Sayyad, former chief of police Maj Gen Ali Hajj, former military intelligence chief Brig Gen Raymond Azar and Republican Guard commander Mustafa Hamdam - wanted as of today in The Hague for Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's 2005 assasination.
.... and introducing the talented and brave Zeina Daccache: an interview, her org and a bit about drama therapy.

Just Twelve Angry Lebanese, you say?
"In fact, we are 20 angry men. Or five to six million angry Lebanese - or maybe even 350 million angry Arabs."

posted by ruelle (7 comments total)

All the world's their stage? Aren't they in prison?
posted by mannequito at 6:55 AM on March 1

Twelve Angry Lebanese is a rugged theatrical collage. Daccache uses Rose’s text as a narrative scaffold, adding personal monologue, sketch comedy in drag, live original music and even a hip-hop dance break – a veritable cellblock tango.

The inmates who acted also had a hand in creating this version. I'm even more intrigued now.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:57 AM on March 1

I read that as "Twelve Angry Lesbians" and was expecting a very different play...
posted by Aversion Therapy at 8:02 AM on March 1

I'm with Aversion Therapy, it sounded more interesting as "Twelve Angry Lesbians." I was imagining a mash-up with No Exit.
posted by Alles at 3:55 PM on March 1

Let's hope the audience can behave themselves a bit better than their Aussie brethren.

I love this screen shot of the movie. I use it all the time.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 5:40 PM on March 1

That should have been "All the stage is their world."
posted by lordrunningclam at 10:01 AM on March 2

Re: "all the stage is their world" vs. "all the world is their stage".
NB: silly to focus on the title of a post instead of the content but nm.

The inmates' world doesn't stop where the stage ends or even within the prison limits for two simple reasons; they find their inspiration in the Middle-East events in which they are also actors, and their playacting reverberate beyond their jail house walls.

Also, the Bard's words mean that no matter where/who you are on life's journey, you are but one of many actors just playing a part in a tragic farce of events.

Then again, I guess it's As you like it.
;)
posted by ruelle at 1:15 PM on March 2