Works-In-Progress Mini Festival (HOMECOMING & BEFORE I DIE) Double Bill

Event Details

Event type: All Ages / Licensed

Take a sneak peek at some amazing new theatre pieces in-the-works! This double bill is part of MT Space's Works-In-Progress Mini Festival, showcasing productions in various stages of development at the Registry Theatre in January 2025. 

Each show is 60 minutes long with a 15-minute intermission in between the two shows.

Homecoming – Mada Theatre

Through a dynamic conversation between two immigrants – a landlord and a tenant – Homecoming focuses on the struggles encountered when trying to secure a house in a new country. At its core, Homecoming explores the notions of 'home' and 'belonging'. Playing on multiple denotations of what home means, the piece engages parallel and intersecting realities to explore the complexities and challenges of being on, in and with a land, and colonial/post-colonial themes that emerge within these complexities. The play is an attempt to understand the perspectives of both tenants and landlords, portraying their struggles, motivations, and vulnerabilities.

 
Show Credits

Performers – Hiyam Mahrat & Ameya Kale
Director – Nada Humsi
Script Developer – Prashant Das
Musician – Max Lindsay
Stage Manager – Lindsay McDonald

 

Before I Die – Mada Theatre

Nada Humsi – who immigrated to Canada a quarter of a century ago – is growing older and facing immense obstacles. She struggled, succeeded and failed. Especially when the genre is theatre, where there is no money, fame, red carpets or mention in the media. Hence, the theater artist becomes a little prophet with a little prophecy to fight for. 

And every step she takes to pursue her artistic career is met with a diplomatic tone 

“You are passé, slow, no longer sexy, no longer an innovator, no longer fit—you’re out of life.” 

A reflection on Nada's personal and artistic life celebrating half a century of her theatrical practice parallel to the lives of artists from different eras and genres, transcending the individual and merging with the collective.

 
Show Credits 

Playwright & Performer – Nada Humsi
Director & Editor – Dr. Hazim Kamaledin
Dramaturge – Paddy Gillard-Bentley
Set & Video Designer – Gary Kirkham
Music & Soundscape – Nuha Yousuf
Lighting Designer – Cameron Slipp
Stage Manager – Lindsay McDonald
Tailor – Helen Basson

Before I Die is generously supported by Canada Council of the Arts. 

Mada Theatre is grateful to MT Space, ArabyOn, and the community for their continuous unwavering support of these projects. 

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