Saber Came to Tea (Short play), June-October 2021 صابر جاء لتناول الشاي

Playing for two nights as an integrated musical and theatre performance, it was followed by an expert-led panel discussion that on the first night highlighted the situation for artists in war, and second the bombardment of Yemen and the ensuing humanitarian crisis.

About this event

Saber and Shatha arrived in Edinburgh from Yemen mid-pandemic, and opportunities for collaboration were limited. Able to respond quickly, Art27scotland’s embedded artist Robert Rae worked with them to develop an appropriate collaborative process. Saber hoped to work with Scottish musicians, and in response to Art27scotland’s Human Rights agenda, Shatha wanted to pursue her art in “Scratched Identities”. Together they wanted to find a way to tell their story. An evening of music, performance, visual art and conversation devised and directed by Robert Rae with Shatha Altowai, Saber Bamatraf and Ghazi Hussein. Audience Feedback: “Powerful , moving , poignant ,compassionate and brave”. – Joanna Boyce