YORK - 8 October 2007 - 270 words
Theatre:
Salaam Bethlehem
After visiting the Holy Land to meet members of the Palestinian
Christian community, Riding Lights Theatre Company are preparing
to launch their new play Salaam Bethlehem on a national
UK tour this autumn.
The play, written by Bridget Foreman and
directed by Paul Burbridge, is the centrepiece of a project which
began over a year ago when Riding Lights was invited to make the
issues surrounding the dwindling church in Palestine more widely
known. Bethlehem, the birthplace of the Christian faith, provides
the obvious evocative backdrop for this inspirational play. The
message to the theatre company from Christians still living and
working
in Bethlehem was very direct; "Pray for us, visit us, tell
our story."
Salaam Bethlehem is a fascinating, lively and moving encounter
with people whose witness in the land of Jesus's birth is something
for which the worldwide church should be profoundly grateful.
They have a crucial voice within the cacophony of tragedy and
recrimination in the Middle East.
"Many have responded to Bethlehem's worldwide call for support
but very few have done it with the same heart felt engagement
and creativity as Riding Lights Theatre Company." said Leila
Sansour, from Open Bethlehem.
Riding Lights is an independent theatre
company based in York, touring nationally and internationally,
with thirty years of professional experience.
It has produced over a hundred shows ranging from new plays to
classics, satirical revues and educational shows to musicals.
Earlier this year, the company brought their widely acclaimed
production African Snow, marking the 200th anniversary
of the abolition of the slave trade, to London's
West End. Salaam Bethlehem is Riding Lights Theatre Company's
30th anniversary production.
For more information and tour dates see: www.ridinglights.org
© Independent Catholic
News 2007
Contact Independent
Catholic News tel/fax:
+44 (0)20 7267 3616 or email
Chaplain • Latest news • Archive • Listings • Pictures •