Photo : Karima EL KHARRAZE
To the Right the Knife: Theater
To the Right the Knife is a portrait of the peripheral neighborhood of a small French town between 1989 and 2001 through the reunion of two sisters. While the echoes of wars hover over the lives and imaginations of the neighborhood's residents, the shared experience of two sisters unfolds, as do their very different lives.
Théâtre Ouvert (Paris 20th)
About
Each one is accompanied by a tutelary figure who appears at the moment reality strikes her. Majda, the eldest who stays in the neighborhood until her death, is accompanied by Rabia Al Adawiya, an Iraqi poet and great Sufi mystic of the 8th century. Etel Adnan, a lesbian poet and painter born in Beirut in 1925, appears to Rim, the little sister, when she experiences her first romantic stirrings.
Our take on this event
Watch as mythical figures materialize to mentor two sisters facing the complexities of love and heritage. This captivating performance masterfully bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and the raw reality of city life. A must-see for anyone seeking an evening of deeply moving and thought-provoking storytelling.
Théâtre Ouvert presents À droite le couteau on Monday, November 23, 2026. This play delves into the lives of two sisters, Majda and Rim, who are visited by influential historical figures during pivotal moments. By connecting the 8th-century Sufi poet Rabia Al Adawiya and the Lebanese-born artist Etel Adnan to the protagonists' personal journeys, the performance offers a unique narrative experience. The show runs from 20:00 to 21:00 in the 20th arrondissement. The venue is wheelchair accessible and offers specific accommodations, including sign language, for audience members with disabilities.
On November 23, 2026, Théâtre Ouvert hosts a one-hour performance of À droite le couteau, starting promptly at 20:00. The play tracks the distinct paths of two sisters: Majda, who stays in her neighborhood throughout her life, and Rim, who experiences her first romantic stirrings. As their realities shift, each sister is accompanied by a guiding figure from history—Majda by the Sufi mystic Rabia Al Adawiya and Rim by the poet and painter Etel Adnan.
Tickets are priced at 6€ for general admission and 4€ for concessions, while those holding a TO card may attend for free. The venue prioritizes inclusivity and is fully accessible to wheelchair users. Furthermore, the performance is adapted for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals, the blind or visually impaired, and people with cognitive disabilities, with sign language interpretation provided throughout the hour.
