One Night Only!
Jogging
by Hanane Hajj Ali, translated by Hassan Abdulrazzak
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
With broken hearts we must announce that we have cancelled our upcoming presentation of Hanane Hajj Ali’s amazing one woman show, Jogging, in the interest of public health and in accordance with the extended shelter-in-place ordinance continuing through May 3rd. Tickets may be exchanged, refunded or donated by contact us by email at boxoffice@goldenthread.org.
Hanane Hajj Ali, a fifty-something Lebanese actress and citizen, exercises daily to avoid osteoporosis, obesity, and depression. As her story intertwines with the city’s tumultuous history, Hajj Ali jogs through Beirut revisiting dreams, desires, hopes, and disillusionments.
May 2, 2020
Brava Theater Center
2781 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Written by Hanane Hajj Ali
Translated by Hassan Abdulrazzak
Directed by Eric Deniaud
Her body is stimulated through exercise with two hormones, dopamine and adrenaline, alternating between destruction and construction. In Medea-like fashion, this cycle within Hajj Ali — woman, wife and mother — echoes that of her city, one that destroys to build and builds to destroy.
Acclaimed Lebanese writer and performer, Hajj Ali brings her one-woman show to the Bay Area following her celebrated performances at the Kennedy Center and the Guthrie Theater.
Performed in Arabic with English super titles.
Reviews
“Gloriously unpredictable and compelling.… a radical challenge to the stereotypes and prejudices that afflict global perceptions of Arab women.” Cat Acheson, The Skinny
“And yet to call Jogging a play about running would be like calling The Odyssey a story about sailing. As with Ali’s layers of scarves and hair, the deceptively straightforward premise unfolds itself into proliferating narratives, voices, and histories. It’s a play that meditates on what it is to be a woman, a wife, a mother, a citizen, and an artist.” Katie Logan, Arablit
In The Press
Jogging To Survive
Jogging: a radical challenge to the global perceptions of Arab women
Sex, Prime Ministers, and Running in Circles
Cast & Crew
Hanane Hajj Ali
Playwright and Performer
Hanane Hajj Ali
Hanane Hajj Ali is the recipient of the Order of letters and Arts from the rank of knight of the French Ministry of Culture, and an eminent cultural and artistic figure in Lebanon and the Arab World. Founding member of the collective group HAKAWATI Theatre (Lebanese Theatre of Storytellers), Hanane has performed in prestigious international theatres and festivals. Hanane’s latest play Jogging has won numerous competitions and prizes including The Vertebra Prize for Best Actor at the Fringe Edinburgh Festival in 2017. In addition to her work as an actress, playwright, writer, and director since 1978, Hanane is a teacher in Theatrical studies/Master program at IESAV- Saint Joseph University, and at The Lebanese University. Hanane is also a founder and board member of several organizations such as, Culture Resource- Al Mawred Athaqafy, Action for Hope, and Ettijahate, Independent Culture.
Eric Deniaud
Director
Eric Deniaud
Eric Deniaud is a graduate of the International Institute of Puppetry Art (ESNAM) in Charleville-Mézières, France. He works as an actor, director, and set designer on mostly but not exclusively puppet plays. Eric’s numerous international collaborations include: the National Puppet Theatre of Vietnam in Hanoi, the National Centre for Dramatic Art in Paris, the National Centre for Stage Writings, Ectera Teatro in Spain, and Kaze theater in Tokyo. His collaboration with Alice Laloy on Y-es tu? was nominated for the Molières award for the Best Performance for Young Audiences in 2011. In Lebanon, Eric co-founded Collectif Kahraba in 2007, and is the co-director of Nehna wel Amar wel Jiran Festival in Beirut since 2011. Since 2017 he has served as the co-director of Hammana Artist House, a residency space for artists in Lebanon.
Hassan Abdulrazzak
Translator
Hassan Abdulrazzak
Hassan Abdulrazzak is an Iraqi playwright and Writer, and a Golden Thread resident artist. Hassan is the author of several plays including, Baghdad Wedding, The Prophet, Dhow Under The Sun, Catalina, Love, Bombs, & Apples, and Here I am. He was born in Prague and holds a PhD in molecular biology. Awards include George Devine, Meyer-Whitworth and Arab British Center’s Award for Culture in 2013.
Original Creative Team: Abdallah AlKafri (Dramaturgy), Sarmad Louis / Rayan Nihawi (Light Design), James Chehab / Karam Abou Ayach (Technical Direction); KALABSHA / Louloua Abdel Baki (Costume Design); Danielle Kattar (Graphic Design); Haifa Safa (Coordination and surtitles); Marwan Tahtah (Photography)