Juliet from Baghdad
The story of a forbidden love
Bakr Hasan, script and direction
Bakr Hasan and Henna Mäki-Filppula, actors
Ali Saad, arabic singer
Sanna Salmenkallio, traditional Iraqi instrument joze
Sanna Salmenkallio and Anthony Marini, music dramaturgy
Pietu Pietiäinen, lights
Markus Tsokkinen, visualisation
Sampsa Peltonen, translation
Finnish Baroque Orchestra
In this programme, which combines music and theatre, William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet serves as a bridge of forbidden love in wartime Baghdad. The traditional roles of a Baroque orchestra and poetry are given new meaning when put alongside a beautiful and tragic story about today’s Middle East based on actual events.
War changes us; humanity loses its way. But despite all of that, light always rises from the ashes.
”The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” Jalal al-Din Rumi
Bakr Hasan graduated as an actor and director from the University of Baghdad. He specialises in physical theatre and uses it to perform classics. Hasan has worked at the Finnish National Theatre and has undertaken three solo productions. Hasan combines European and Arabic culture in his performances and creates art in his own image.
In homage to Shakespeare, the programme features British Baroque music and emotionally charged Arabic music performed by singer Ali Saad, who group up in Baghdad among a family of musicians. The performance’s musical dramaturgy has been developed by well-known film composer Sanna Salmenkallio and the Finnish Baroque Orchestra’s artistic planner, violinist Anthony Marini.
Duration: 1 h (no intermission)
Anthony Marini introduces the performance at the House of Nobility on October 7th from 6–6.30 pm.