A First in Iraq's History, AUIS Students Play Shakespeare in English

What's in a Name cast- Photo courtesy of AUI-S Shakespeare Company

AUI-S Shakespeare Company at the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani performs a Shakespearean play on Thursday, June 2, 2011. 

Peter Frederich, AUIS lecturer and Head of Drama and Film department, says that show will include different scenes from Shakespeare's different plays. He also recognizes the difficulty of the job.

"Shakespearean acting is one of the most difficult things to do in the English language. Many native English-speakers are terrified to even try it. Our cast of ten has been trying it all year, and now they are ready to show you what they can do," he wrote. 

The play which will be performed at Sulaimani Culture Hall (Holi Roshnbiri) is called: What's  in a Name?

According to Mr. Frederich, the main message of the play is showing what happens when different cultures and backgrounds come together. 

"The biggest message I think is what happens when people with different styles or backgrounds get together. Sometimes they fight, other times they play games with each other, and occasionally they fall in love," he said. "But the results of running into someone very different are usually quite dramatic. That's why Shakespeare makes it happen so often. For example, Romeo is a very different person from Juliet. At first she thinks he's insane."

The play cast are Ahmed al-Nuaimi, Hemn Muhammad, Kardo Kamil, Umnya Nadhir, Mina Bassam al-Attar, Shunas Hussein, Saman Karim, Huda al-Serhan, Anas al-Samarai, and Nawaf Ashur. 

The play will be performed on Sulaimani Culture Hall's stage on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 5 p.m.