‘‘to’-bor-ni’, states author Ahlam’s notes, ‘a saying in Levantine Arabic used to express affection and love. ‘May you bury me’ is a declaration that one does not want to live without a loved one (or loved thing).’ As do the characters in this story, be it each other or the city of Cairo. It’s set in 2015 as the optimism generated by the ‘Arab Spring’ of 2011 (naively reported by many major news agencies worldwide) finally evaporated, authoritarian rule reasserting itself, extinguishing the joy of a younger generation believing they might finally have the freedom to express themselves as themselves… rather than as a product of their family, religion or politics.
The action hurtled along pell mell, representing the vibrancy and volatility of Cairo but an occasional drop in tempo might have allowed the context some sharper focus. Amidst the blur there were comic turns, Alia and Tamer’s (Hanna Khogali and Moe Bar-El respectively) fumbled attempts at intimacy and the scene-stealing exuberance of Maya (Yasemin Ozdemir) as she tried to administer a makeover to Lina (Eleanor Nawali). There was the anguish of concerned journalist Osman (Tarrick Benham) and the cynical flippancy of his beloved – but unscheduled – lodger Rafik (Nezar Alderazi) but we never felt the full impact of the fear and unease that pervaded our crew’s lives. For a muslim in love with a christian, or anyone contemplating a same-sex relationship this was a genuinely scary place. Never mind daring to challenge the ruling powers.
This was well-lit, well-acted, had a great set and was entertaining, but one couldn’t help feeling there was still room for something that might have troubled the audience as it moved back out into the cold. It elicited smiles and laughter, but it could have moved us more.
Playing at The Royal Lyceum until March 18th. https://lyceum.org.uk/whats-on/production/you-bury-me-1
Reviewer: Roger Jacobs
Reviewed: 8th March 2023
North West End UK Rating: ★★★
North West End UK are recruiting new reviewers NOW!
If you believe you have what it takes to join our team in Edinburgh email us now at fringe@northwestend.co.uk for more details.
In the near future, love is just another commodity driven by an app called Q-pid.…
Behold, a young lady pursuing education, clamouring for the right to graduate, wanting to perform…
On Wednesday night, Scottish Opera brought Benjamin Britten’s Albert Herring to the Festival Theatre in…
There’s nothing tragic about the mirth and magic of Opera North’s wonderful production, a second…
A new musical inspired by the nationwide societal impacts of Section 28, After the Act…
The classic saying always favours the book over the film of story but when a…