Following its acclaimed debut in May 2024, Shou Ya Ashta returns to Le Monnot theater on February 27, 2025. This bold dark comedy blends sharp humor with poignant storytelling to challenge the silence surrounding gender-based violence.
After a successful premiere in May 2024, Shou Ya Ashta is set to return to Le Monnot theater starting February 27, 2025. Written by Wafa’a Halawi and Riad Chirazi, and produced by Michèle Fenianos, this 75-minute play dives into the complexities of gender-based violence through a sharp yet emotionally gripping lens. With a cast led by May Sahhab, Wafa’a Halawi, Salma Chalabi and Katie Younes, the play weaves together the intertwined stories of three women—each confronting manipulation, abuse and the societal expectations that seek to silence them.
At the center of Shou Ya Ashta is Dr. Jouni, a respected therapist who helps others navigate their trauma while wrestling with her own past and present struggles. Through her perspective, the audience is introduced to three deeply engaging narratives: Nour, a young woman striving for reconciliation with herself after a harrowing past, Laila, a woman trapped in an unhappy marriage, questioning her worth in the face of emotional manipulation, and Mira, an actress who refuses to stay silent in an industry rife with exploitation.
Shou Ya Ashta creates a space for conversation. Following each performance, an open discussion moderated by Michèle Fenianos will invite the audience to engage directly with the content, performances and artistic vision behind the production.
The title Shou Ya Ashta carries a powerful subtext. In Lebanese slang, “Ashta” is often used to describe an attractive woman, but here, the play challenges the objectification embedded in such language. The metaphor extends further: much like the ashta fruit, which is soft and delicate beneath a tough exterior, the women in the play must first break through societal constraints before they can reclaim their voices.
Using biting humor and searing emotional depth, Shou Ya Ashta pushes its audience to confront difficult truths about gender. This play is a call for resilience and self-determination, it offers an unfiltered look at how society perpetuates silence—and what it takes to break free.
Comments