Kalba Short Plays Festival continues with remarkable performances

First performance: Crime on goat island

The festival stage presented two plays. The first, titled “Crime on Goat Island”, is adapted from the Italian playwright Ugo Betti’s work of the same name. It tells the story of three women isolated on an island who conspire to eliminate a seductive man visiting them, fearing he might divide them. After his death, they are overcome with guilt and regret.

A critical discussion followed, praising the efforts of director Mohamed Ismail and his cast. Some commentators suggested that broader directorial approaches could have expanded the actresses’ performances, while the lighting plan was commended for harmonizing with the music and supporting the dramatic delivery.

Second performance: Death

The second play, “Death”, was adapted from “Accidental Death of an Anarchist” by Nobel laureate Dario Fo. It was prepared and directed by Jasim Sami Gharib. The story revolves around a man who pretends to be insane, impersonates a judge, and interrogates a police chief and inspector. Through this, he exposes contradictions in their account of a suspect’s supposed suicide from a window.

The critical discussion praised the performance’s rhythm and visual aesthetics, highlighting the play’s ability to balance satire and theatrical impact.