Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival hosting Irish premiere of Revolution
A ground-breaking new theatre production is being staged as part of the Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival this week.
Revolution, by Joud Al Sulaiman, and running for three nights, is based on true events experienced by the Syrian people during the rule of Hafez Al Assad and his son, Bashar al-Assad.
It tells the story of Karim and Israa, a young married couple from Homs who are displaced to Damascus after their home is destroyed.
Karim and Israa live in constant fear: of the regime’s intelligence branch, the prospect of being flung into jail as political prisoners, and of the revolution and consequent civil war coming to their door.
The play depicts how many Syrian people balance their public lives and home lives, forced to support the government outside the home whilst privately opposing the regime and living in deep fear of their political views being discovered.
The story is told in a satirical and comedic style. A dark farce, the play is both funny and tragic.
The text is written by Joud Al Sulaiman, who also directs the show and features as Karim. Revolution was produced in Beirut in 2025, and this Irish premiere is its first international outing.
The production opens to the public on Tuesday, August 4, and runs for three nights only. Audiences are invited to arrive between 4 and 5 p.m. to enjoy some traditional Syrian desserts and coffee.
The show is in the Abbeyfield ROC and is the first such public production to take place in the centre.
Book your tickets here.
Creative Places Ballaghaderreen is an Arts Council-funded initiative led by the Roscommon County Council Arts Office. The vision of Creative Places Ballaghaderreen is that the arts and creativity are central to a vibrant, diverse and proud community.
This programme promotes a wider, diverse effort to improve local opportunities to engage in the arts and culture, and to better understand the evolving, new community profile in Ballaghaderreen and the greater Roscommon area.
Creative Places Ballaghaderreen funds this production of Revolution by Joud Alsulaiman.