LIVERPOOL, CANADA - The Egyptian theatre troupe, Waves, will be participating in the 11th biennial Liverpool International Theatre Festival, which runs from May 16 to 20. During the festival, troupes from across the globe and around Nova Scotia will gather in the Astor Theatre in Liverpool to compete for honours in this prestigious festival. “We had five entries from Iran, but their current political situation made it impossible for them to come. We are extremely fortunate that the Egyptians are coming and we're looking forward to their performance!” said Eva Moore, LITF Artistic Director. Egypt's Waves Troupe for Independent Theatre will be travelling from Cairo for the competition, after the Foreign Cultural Relations Sector secured their travel tickets, visas and other facilities, as part of their policy of encouraging independent troupes and enhancing the participation of Egypt all over the world. Their play, Frenzy for Two or More, is written by Eugène Ionesco and stars Mohamed Abdel-Rahman and Dina Mohsen, with music by Mahmoud el-Sherif and stage lighting by Saad Samir. The executive director is Maryam Raafat and the director Youssra el-Sharkawy, and their play will be showcased in the coveted last night position on May 20th. There will be two Ionesco plays competing in this year's festival; Nova Scotia's Araignee du Boui Boui theatre will be staging the other one. The LITF has become one of the world's most recognised festivals and the competition is intense, with over 40 entries having been received for 2012. The application process has become much easier for the troupes, most of which are very computer savvy and have applied online. “In many ways it has made my job easier,” explains Moore. “I am looking for plays that transcend the language barrier to a mostly English-speaking audience. Being able to view the entire performance allows me to ensure we provide an accessible theatre experience,” says Moore. During the LITF, Liverpool starts to look like the United Nations. The atmosphere in the town is charged with the joy of people meeting people and enjoying one another's company and talent within a safe, supportive environment. “This is a magical event made even more special by being held here in Liverpool,” says Moore, “as there is an intimacy in a small town that is not possible in a larger centre. First time visitors who come to see a show or two are swept up in the experience and become regular subscribers for subsequent festivals.” At the first LITF, in 1992, there was some audience resistance to the foreign-language plays. By 1996, these shows had become the first to sell out. “Again, it's all about transcending the language barrier,” says Moore. “If the performance is well executed and the printed English synopsis is clear, the words really don't matter.” The festival includes theatre performances from Egypt, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, the United States, Wales and Canada.
