That Part of Heaven — Omar Rajeh

That part of Heaven

prèmiere, 17 January 2013, Al Madina Theatre

That Part of Heaven is an exploration in 'physicality'. The performance starts from the idea of the 'event', which strongly leaves its mark on our bodies; the virtual image in our mind that changes, through time, and grows into a physical weight. It deals with movement as a resonance of the body in its virtual possibilities and 'becomings' seen all in one frame.

Maqamat, based in Beirut, uses its cultural and social environment to enrich its artistic research. The work strongly relates to the Aftermath of the Lebanese Civil War and its affect on the body.

“Sometimes I feel there is no awareness of the future here,” says Rajeh, “It’s as if we haven’t shook that sensation from the war of not knowing what tomorrow will be.”

Concept & Choreography Omar Rajeh Performed by Mia Habis, Ali Chahrour, Zei Khauli, Bassam Bou Diab, & Hala Abi Rached Music by Zad Moultaka “Yà Ghazàli” & “La Ta'zhoulih” / Chant: Fadia Tomb El Hage from the album” Zarani” - www.zadmoultaka.com / Jean Madani “Death”, “Blind”, “Rain" Tord Gustavsen Trio "At Home" & “Vesper” from the album "Being There" (ECM Records) - www.tordgustavsen.com Scenography Mia Habis, Ali Chahrour, & Omar Rajeh Make up & hair designer Mayssoun Hilal Beauty Salon Lighting design Jonathan Samuels Sound engineer Basel Kasem Costume Design Mia Habis Design concept Mia Habis Graphic Design joe elias for nimslabs Photography Melissa J. & Photography Venue-Wael Ladki Sound Installation at Entrance Mia Habis Production manager Ali Akel Technical director Ricardo Clementi Attache de presse Aline Mourani Stage manager Zaher Kais Production crew Chrystelle Salem, Zeina Kassim, Nadine Helwi, Safaa El Ali, Sally Souraya Posters & Flyers Distribution Mohamed Assaf Photos by Meliisa J. and Myriam Boulos

Produced by Maqamat Dance Theatre With the support of British Council, Amadeus- Ecole de danse et de musique, Bardo Resto-Pub, Chateau Qanafar, Minus 5, FFF With the contribution of Mayssoun HiIlal- Beauty Salon, Dots, Librairie El Bourj Media partners MTV, ANNAHAR Newspaper, Al Akhbar Newspaper, Agenda Culturel, Beirut.com

Special Thanks Zad Moultaka, Fadia Tomb El Hage, Ziad Masabny, Joe Habis, Henry Bacha, Nayla El-Hajj Habis,

a trailer on the left and a short teaser on the left

Les cinq danseurs sur scène nous renvoient à notre propre image, à notre propre condition. C’est maintenant que la catharsis doit commencer.

Agnda Culturel
Un spectacle douloureux et fascinant

— Colette Khalaf, L’Orient-Le Jour
"The five dancers illuminated on the stage at Hamra’s al-Madina Theatre jerk and convulse their bodies, manipulated by an unseen force."

— Rebecca Whiting, Al Bawaba

“Sometimes I feel there is no awareness of the future here,” says Rajeh, “It’s as if we haven’t shook that sensation from the war of not knowing what tomorrow will be.”

Les cinq danseurs sur scène nous renvoient à notre propre image, à notre propre condition. C’est maintenant que la catharsis doit commencer.

Un spectacle douloureux et fascinant

"The five dancers illuminated on the stage at Hamra’s al-Madina Theatre jerk and convulse their bodies, manipulated by an unseen force."

Disturbance

mass