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The theatrical production “Kafir El Nahl” (The Beehive), penned by Dimitri Melki and directed by Shady el-Habr, showcases a distinguished ensemble of actors including Daoud Haddad, Lynn Jammal, Jana Ghandour, Mohamad Ahmad and Serena el-Dahdah, with notable appearances by Dina Elhaf and Chris Ghafari. This much-anticipated play is scheduled to grace the stage of the ACT at Le Monnot Theatre on 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30 December 2023, eliciting considerable excitement among its creators.
Kafir El Nahl’s playwright, Dimitri Melki, speaks with fervor about his inspiration to write the play, saying, “In a discussion with friends about love and its pivotal role in our contemporary world, I was struck by their outright rejection of this notion and by the solid barrier they build between themselves and others. This conversation sparked the concept for this play.” Regarding the time it takes him to write a play, he adds, “Typically, drafting a play does not extend beyond 25 days for me. However, should we not also consider the time spent assimilating experiences and the traumas recounted in the work? This question continues to seek an answer.”
Director Shady Habr, sharing insight into his collaboration with the playwright, said, “In 2000, I read a play by Dimitri Melki titled ‘Narcisse.’ I was captivated by his writing style and the depth of his ideas. That work lingered in my mind until I decided to stage it in 2017. Since then, Dimitri and I have continued to collaborate on theatrical projects. His writing seems tailor-made for my directorial approach, enriching my creative landscape and empowering my imagination to ensure that my direction is profound, cultural, stripped-down, minimalist and timeless, as his plays relate to the human condition. Personally, this is what intrigues me as well: human nature, its suffering, its fear of death. His ideas fuel my creative process, and I endeavor to faithfully translate his work onto the stage.”
The actors also express their enthusiasm for the project. Mohamad Ahmad describes his role, “I play Rony, an intelligent, elegant and affluent character. He knows exactly what to say and when, yet he is also arrogant. Occasionally, his mean streak surfaces, especially when he attempts to control or manipulate others, showing little regard for their feelings. The nuanced script helps build a full understanding of the other characters, which in turn helps in grasping the context and the underlying significance of each word. This also illuminates the background of my character and his interactions with fellow actors.”
Actress Jana Ghandour shares her experience, saying, “My character was quite challenging due to its distinctive traits. The character is astute and arrogant with a self-assured charm. This role enabled me to explore new dimensions of acting and taught me to maintain a high level of energy and presence throughout.”
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