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Following the play Ghammid Ein, Fattih Ein (“In the Blink of an Eye”) and the musical Chicago this summer, Fouad Yammine returns with a new theatrical performance. He is joined on stage by his wife, Serena Chami, and Tony Dagher.
From cinema to musicals and theater, the multifaceted artist, Fouad Yammine, continuously undertakes new projects. This summer, he is back with a play he both wrote and co-produced alongside his wife, Serena Chami. The couple not only contributes behind the scenes but also takes on the roles of the main characters. They will be performing until November 5th at the Douwar el Shams Theater (Sunflower Theater) in Tayouneh. This acting duo, who share a deep connection off-stage, has been enjoying the process of collaboratively creating theatrical works for several years. Their joint ventures include recent projects like the play Khalliya Baynetna (“Let It Stay Between Us”) and the film El Fil. From October 24 until November 5, they are set to captivate audiences with their latest theatrical endeavor.
Bi Laylé Fiha Daou Kamar (“On a Moonlit Night”) delves into the story of a man and a woman who serendipitously meet on a Beirut building rooftop. They spend the night getting to know one another, fostering mutual respect. However, as their bond deepens, buried secrets and unsaid words start to emerge, presenting the audience with a fresh perspective. The play’s seemingly ordinary yet enigmatic narrative raises several questions. Why the title, which might hint at the phrase Bi Laylé Ma Fiha Daou Kamar (“On a Moonless Night”)? Is it an attempt to shed light on the intricacies and mysteries of this relationship? What backdrop does this relationship evolve into, and what does it conceal? How did the protagonists end up on that rooftop? Was it fate? The play offers insights into these ponderings.
A Theater’s Phoenix-like Rebirth
Bi Laylé Fiha Daou Kamar marks the first performance at the Douwar el Shams Theater since the devastating fire on July 6 that consumed the theater’s entrance. To raise funds for the theater’s restoration, the play Safha 7 (Page 7) and a stand-up comedy event featuring Nicolas Tawk, Nour Hajjar, Chaker Bou Abdallah, and Wissam Kamal were organized to expedite the rehabilitation process.
In these turbulent times marked by crises and security concerns, the Douwar el Shams Center stands as an essential cultural hub for the youth. It remains one of the few active cultural venues in the country. The center boasts two performance halls, an exhibition room, and two versatile studios, facilitating a diverse array of events like festivals, workshops, seminars, discussions, and exchanges on local, regional, and international scales.
Founded in 1999, SHAMS, The Cultural Cooperative Association for Youth in Theatre and Cinema, which inaugurated this theater in 2005, maintains significant archives. Consequently, it plays a pivotal role in preserving and assessing the legacy of Lebanese theater.
The upcoming performances by Fouad Yammine and Serena Chami hold dual significance. Firstly, they breathe life back into a pivotal Lebanese cultural and artistic theater. Secondly, they provide a delightful and refreshing escape from the ongoing crises afflicting Lebanon and the surrounding region. An opportunity for audiences to immerse themselves in the intriguing tale of the two main characters, if only for an evening.
The play is currently running at the Douwar el Shams Theater until November 5. Reservations can be made through WhatsApp at +71 779 400, at all Librairie Antoine branches, or through their website.
