Adventures of Ali & Ali and the Axes of Evil: A Divertimento for Warlords
In this elaborate agitprop theatrical collaboration, the internal contradictions and duplicitous double-speak of the "war on terror" are exposed as the propaganda vehicles for the neo-colonialism of the West that they are. "Ali Hakim" and "Ali Ababwa," refugees from the imaginary country "Agraba," attempt to seduce their audience into providing them with food, refuge, security, freedom and the material benefits of Western consumer society, failing miserably at every step. A hard-hitting presentation of a play-within-a-play assaults the audience as Youssef, Verdecchia and Chai do Shakespeare, Shaw and Swift one better with an endless string of buffooneries and absurdities derived from an inversion of the clich s defining the geo-politics of the Middle East at the beginning of the 21st century. Informed by the research of Paul Krugman and Noam Chomsky, sent up by the post-modern cultural relativism of "Jean Paul Jacques Beauderri redada," this political satire is not for the faint of heart. Cast of 4 men.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0889225168
ISBN13:9780889225169
Release Date:May 2005
Publisher:Talonbooks
Length:128 Pages
Weight:0.45 lbs.
Dimensions:0.3" x 6.3" x 8.5"
Customer Reviews
1 rating
interesting, darkly humorous take on Western-Islam relations
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
I really enjoyed this play, which reads quickly, keeps things moving, and is very funny as well as very provocative. It has a wizened, absurd sensibility. Some of the dialogue is trying to intentionally be funny and fails, or comes across as silly/stupid; the writing is at its best when it doesn't try to be funny. For a mostly bare stage and just a few actors, this play has a wealth of ideas, commentary, and memorable scenes. I think the world would be a better, more informed place if this play was performed all over. It doesn't take itself seriously (while dealing with serious issues), believes that nothing is sacred, but the humor and jabs are respectful and intelligent. Having been produced in Canada, there are some local/cultural refrences that detract from the play's universal appeal, but this is a minor complaint. An enjoyable, light yet heavy, read. Made me appreciate the theater all over again after becoming pretty jaded with it.
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