The International Voices Project
In collaboration with intercultural music
present
The Shroud Maker March 16 - April 8
at the Chicago Dramatists
Loosely based on a real life character still living in Gaza, The Shroud Maker is a dark comedy that tells the story of 80 year old Hajja Souad, who makes and sells shrouds for the dead in the Shujaia neighborhood in Palestine.
What’s the best business in Gaza? Hajja Souad, an 80-year old woman living in the El Shujaia Neighbourhood, has the right idea. She has survived decades of wars, deportation and oppression through making and selling shrouds for the dead, profiting from the continuous Israeli attacks.
The 51-day Israeli war on Gaza in summer 2014 proves highly lucrative, until her past returns to haunt her, forcing her to make a momentous decision. Her deliberations take us on a lifetime’s journey, telling a harrowing story of courage, love, escape and disappointment.
Leaving her village of Aqqur near Jerusalem as a young girl, Hajja Souad entered the service of the British High Commissioner in the late 1940s and grew up as an adopted daughter to his wife, who taught her English manners and elocution. But in the chaos of the British withdrawal, as the Union Jack is drawn down from the port of Haifa, Hajja was left alone to her fate in the abandoned mansion.
The Shroud Maker delves deep into the intimate life of ordinary Palestinians to weave a highly distinctive path through Palestine’s turbulent past and present. Loosely based on a real-life character still living in Gaza, this one-woman comedy weaves comic fantasy and satire with true stories told firsthand to the writer and offers a vivid portrait of Palestinian life in Gaza.
By Ahmed Masoud
Directed by Marina Johnson
Starring Roxane Assaf-Lynn
Set Design by Jonathan Berg-Einhorn
Sound Design by Ronnie Malley and Eric Backus
In collaboration with Intercultural Music Production
Schedule & Tickets
Tickets: $20 | Senior $15 | Student rush tickets $10 for every show based on availability
Group sales contact ivpchicago@gmail.com
Previews: Thursday and Friday, March 16-17, 7:30 PM
Opening: Saturday, March 18 at 3 PM
March 19 - April 8 | Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 PM | Sundays 3 PM