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PLACE, Tamara Al Saadi

Photo : Christophe Raynaud de Lage

Feb 23–27

PLACE, Tamara Al Saadi

How can one find their place when they are neither truly from here nor entirely from there, split between two identities and torn between two languages? From this autobiographical question, Tamara Al Saadi draws a play about the quest for identity and the confrontation with ordinary racism.

Théâtre 13 - Bibliothèque (Paris 13th)

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About

Yasmine exits the subway and realizes that the letters around her no longer make sense, no longer have sound. It hits her just like that, without explanation. To be able to read again, she will have to reclaim her past. This life stretched across an uncrossable bridge between Iraq and France, she experiences as a painful oxymoron. So she will be double: an Iraqi self and a French self that must be reconciled. A fragmented story progressing from anecdotes to symbols in an extremely stripped-down scenography, populated by chairs and sand, symbols of lack and absence. With tenderness and a hint of rage, this intimate narrative bears witness to a quest for identity within the gears of assimilation, a fight to find one's place.

Text and direction Tamara Al Saadi
With Mayya Sanbar, Marie Tirmont, Françoise Thuriès, Roland Timsit, Yasmine Nadifi, Ismaël Tifouche Nieto, David Chausse and a child
Artistic collaboration Justine Bachelet and Kristina Chaumont
Lighting Nicolas Marie
Sound Fabio Meschini
Scenography Alix Boillot
Costumes Pétronille Salomé
Choreography Sonia Al Khadir
Technical design Jennifer Montesantos
General management Jennifer Montesantos and Elsa Sanchez Production management Elsa Brès
Production and public relations Coline Bec

Our take on this event

Stepping into the fragile world of Yasmine means navigating the complex divide between two cultures that refuse to reconcile. Using a minimalist set of sand and chairs, this powerful play masterfully examines the struggle for belonging when your past and present speak different languages.

From February 23 to 27, 2027, the Théâtre 13 - Bibliothèque presents PLACE, a play written and directed by Tamara Al Saadi. The story follows Yasmine, who suddenly loses the ability to understand language and embarks on a journey to reclaim her past. Caught between Iraq and France, she struggles to reconcile her dual identities within a stark set design featuring sand and chairs. This intimate exploration of identity and assimilation is suitable for audiences aged 12 and over. Through a fragmented narrative, the production offers a profound reflection on the challenges of finding one's place in the world.

PLACE delves into the complex themes of displacement and self-discovery through the eyes of Yasmine. When words suddenly lose their meaning, she is forced to confront the distance between her Iraqi heritage and her French life. The stage, stripped to its essentials, uses sand and chairs to evoke feelings of emptiness and absence, mirroring the protagonist's struggle to bridge the gap between two worlds. Tamara Al Saadi's direction captures this internal conflict with a blend of gentle reflection and raw intensity.

The performances take place at the Théâtre 13 - Bibliothèque in Paris' 13th arrondissement. The run spans from Tuesday, February 23, to Saturday, February 27, 2027. Shows on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are scheduled from 20:00 to 21:30. The final performance on Saturday takes place from 18:00 to 19:30. Tickets are required for entry, and the play is recommended for ages 12 and up.

The cast features Mayya Sanbar, Marie Tirmont, Françoise Thuriès, Roland Timsit, Yasmine Nadifi, Ismaël Tifouche Nieto, David Chausse, and a child actor. The creative team includes scenographer Alix Boillot and lighting designer Nicolas Marie, who collectively bring this powerful narrative of assimilation and personal identity to life.

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