Revolution Days, a powerful re-working, based on playwright Mariem Omari’s real-life experiences as an aid worker in the Middle East, to widely tour Scotland for the first time - and is coming to Aberdeen Arts Centre.
Based on Arab-Scottish playwright Mariem Omari’s experiences as an Aid Worker in the Middle East and North Africa, this is a compelling story of survival and hope in the most extreme circumstances.
Samira, a Scottish Aid Worker, goes through a ‘baptism of fire’ during the revolutions in the Middle East. Certain she can make a difference, she agrees to mission after mission, but is quickly confronted by the reality of war, aid work and her own disillusionment. The play explores how global events shape personal identity, belonging and resilience. Fifteen years after the Arab Revolutions, Revolution Days asks: how and what do we choose to see?
The play is accompanied by a short film at each of the tour dates, Revolution Days: A True Reflection (18 minutes). Exploring the experiences of New Scots from Syria, Sudan,Yemen and Libya who experienced the Revolutions first hand, the film creates a platform for the real stories behind the news. Soundscapes created from audio collected in the Middle-East, rich musical composition and video design, including historic news footage, create an all-encompassing experience as we follow Samira on her journey.
Writer Mariem Omari said: “When Revolution Days was first staged in 2021 during the 10 year anniversary of the ‘Arab Spring’, I found myself reflecting on the conflicts, militant regimes and corruption in the region. Revolution seemed inevitable, but the people were hopeful, and many saw the Western Nations as allies. Now they can no longer tell…none of us can. The playing field has changed, but the truth of people who are resilient in the face of war remains. They told their stories vividly, with the humour and power that no media report can convey. And that’s the reason I wrote Revolution Days. There’s something universal and unending in the stories of people in the most harrowing circumstances, that allows us to wrestle with and remember who we are.”
Director Shilpa T-Hyland said: "As is often the way in our current times I am struck by how much our world has changed since we first staged Revolution Days in 2021. Samira’s story is one of witnessing war on the ground, of navigating the tension of identifying with the people she meets but ultimately being able to leave with her British passport. I hope Revolution Days will give audiences a place to reflect on our collective witnessing, Scotland’s relationship to the rest of the world, and the resilience of human spirit. I am delighted to be working with Olivia Hemmati who will bring a new perspective to the role as well as her vibrancy and humour.”