Love and death rub shoulders in Ali Chahrour’s work, as they do in the streets of his city, Beirut. The Lebanese dancer and choreographer draws on his family culture and the intimate stories of his neighbourhood for this oration for mothers. “We know nothing of the small internal wars that are lodged in the homes of Beirut and its suburbs,” reveals Chahrour, who gives voice to the silence. In the sombre melody that bathes the two stories of Told by my Mother, mother and son sing and dance about filial love, sacrifice, loss, death, mourning and faith. Leila had fiercely opposed her son’s destiny, Abbas, who had joined the ranks of combat, and was destined for martyrdom in Syria, and here they are together on stage. Aunt Fatima saw her son go to Syria and never return. At the time of deciding, Ali had tried to dissuade his cousin: “Come and dance with us, find love on stage and live an adventure that will make you grow…”

On Sunday 10 September at 12:00 there will be a brunch and discussion on the impact of theatre in Lebanon, with Michel Abou Khalil, Ali Chahrour, Issam Bou Khaled and Nivine Kallas.