- 08
- Nov.
- 2024
Le Monnot theater presents Abl Ma Fell ("Before I Leave"), a play written by Dimitri Melki and directed by Chadi El Haber, featuring performances by Kamal Qassem, Chris Ghafary, and Ali Beydoun. This work, extended to November 9 and 10, offers the public a final chance to immerse themselves in a world rich with emotion, in the heart of Beirut.
Le Monnot theater responds to the call to revive the performing arts despite the challenges. In these uncertain times, the play Abl Ma Fell embodies an act of theatrical resilience. By reopening its doors, Through this production, the play’s team demonstrates that theater remains a vital space for expression and connection, even in times of crisis.
Abl Ma Fell invites audiences to reflect on the final moments of a man before his departure, posing existential questions: will he accomplish everything he wishes, will he say everything he holds in his heart, or will he simply leave without looking back? The play explores the inner conflicts of a man facing childhood memories, the death he encounters on his path, and the inevitable solitude that becomes his final prison. The story follows this character, standing at his window, awaiting an imaginary plane that would take him to places of peace and beauty, in a silent quest for inner tranquility.
Exploring Creative Challenges
For play director Chadi El Haber, Abl Ma Fell presents both a stimulating and complex challenge. From his first reading, he was captivated by the script’s “difficult, absurd, and remarkably bold” quality. “I’m particularly drawn to this kind of text,” he confides. One striking image shaped his vision right from the opening lines: a man nearing the end of life, surrounded by two people cleansing his body. “That was my starting point, a vision that guided me from scene to scene, using lighting as a central element in the staging.” For the play director, each part of the play is an opportunity to project oneself into the ultimate space where the character stands, merging his own emotions with the story.
Dimitri Melki, the playwright, explains that Abl Ma Fell is not a direct response to Lebanon’s current situation, although the piece resonates with the country’s difficult reality. Written earlier this year, the play is, above all, an autobiographical reflection, a work that “speaks to Humanity with a capital H,” he says. It tackles universal questions about life, death, and the inseparable bonds that connect them, reaching out to a humanity searching for meaning.
Actor Chris Ghafary speaks of the freedom and depth the text offers him to portray his role authentically, beyond the words themselves. “By focusing on the emotional core and motivations behind the lines, I can grasp the essence of the character,” he explains. Under Chadi El Haber’s direction, which encourages nuanced exploration and interpretation, the actor delves into the physical and emotional subtleties, making his performance more genuine and less reliant on the words. “Body language, facial expressions, and vocal tone become tools to convey a meaning that goes beyond the literal text,” he says. For him, “the director's guidance and the staging play a crucial role in this process.” The staging creates an environment where actors can react spontaneously, giving their performances depth and authenticity that resonate with the audience.
With Abl Ma Fell, Le Monnot theater reconnects with its mission to invigorate the Lebanese theater scene, highlighting the importance of theater as a space for reflection and closeness, even in challenging times.
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