During 2011, a national Egyptian uprising took place against the oppressive and brutal dictatorship that ruled their country. Protestors and revolutionaries took the street, causing chaos, hoping that the government could be overthrown and there would be justice restored to Egypt. However, one brutal regime was simply replaced by one another, and a life of fear and despair for the Egyptian people continued.
Written by the anonymous, British playwright known as Ahlam, who won the 2020 Women’s Prize for Playwriting, You Bury Me is a moving, thought-provoking and often hilarious play set four years after the revolution, in 2015. Directed by Katie Posner and produced by esteemed theatre group Paines Plough, it focusses on a group of 6 teenagers having to live in a world of hope and doubt, as they navigate the waters of adulthood and romance. Osman (Tarrick Benham) is an outspoken revolutionary determined to restore peace to Egypt, despite the protests of his gay best friend Rafik (Nezar Alderazi). Meanwhile, Osman’s wild little sister Maya (Yasemin Özdemir) struggles with her feelings towards her shy lesbian friend Lina (Eleanor Nawal). Finally, the star-crossed lovers Tamer (Moe Bar-El) and Alia (Hanna Khogali) must hide their relationship from the outside world due to their opposing religions.
Overall, I would thoroughly recommend this play to everyone, especially teenagers and young adults who will be able to relate with the awkward struggles and relationships between the characters. However, it may not be appropriate for younger viewers, due to some mature and upsetting themes throughout.
