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The play Li Chabakna Ykhallesna by Zeina Daccache will be performed at Le Monnot theater, Beirut, from February 7 to 23, 2025, at 8:30 PM. Starring Zeina Daccache, Sam Ghazal and Joseph Jules, this production blends humor and drama to explore contemporary challenges. Zeina Daccache answers This is Beirut's questions, elaborating on her commitment and revealing behind-the-scenes details of her play.
The play Li Chabakna Ykhallesna delves into the struggles of Zeina Daccache and Joseph Jules, a former prisoner, as they navigate a society in crisis after years of confinement. Combining comedy and drama, with comedian Sam Ghazal, it tackles grief, family turmoil and the search for a future in a chaotic world. Directed by Zeina Daccache, the play reflects her commitment to social change through drama therapy, a mission she pursues with her NGO Catharsis.
In Li Chabakna Ykhallesna, Zeina Daccache returns to the stage with a powerful work, rooted in personal and societal experiences. Performed at Monnot theatre in Achrafieh from February 7 to 23, 2025, the play captures contemporary challenges through a blend of humor and drama, while staying true to the director’s dedication to drama therapy.
“The play draws from our experiences in prison—mine and Joseph’s, who spent more than 30 years behind bars. He’s been out for three years now, and since 2018, I’ve been leading projects outside the prison walls. Our personal journeys, coupled with the chaos of Beirut and the country, helped shape this play. It’s almost as if we were safer inside the prison,” shares Zeina Daccache.
Each character embodies a fragment of these realities. “In this play, we are ourselves. We’re not acting out roles other than our own experiences. The performance reflects our personal and psychological journeys. It speaks to everyone—whether they are citizens, mothers or patients seeking a decent yet nonexistent healthcare system in Lebanon,” she explains. With Joseph, the former inmate, and Sam Ghazal, whose offbeat humor brings a refreshing perspective, Li Chabakana Ykhallesna explores the interactions between different generations and social backgrounds.
The play is further enriched by the contributions of actress Cynthya Karam and Maguy Farah. “Cynthya plays a key figure in Joseph’s journey—someone no longer alive. She is an actress I deeply respect and admire, and it’s a privilege to work with her. Maguy Farah also appears on-screen, playing herself,” the director and actress highlights.
Balancing the artistic and therapeutic aspects remains central to Zeina Daccache’s work. “After 13 years of working in prisons and practicing drama therapy, it’s crucial to reflect this in my creations. Once therapy is complete, society itself must begin its own healing, and that’s where art plays a role. One person’s journey can be narrated by another, transforming into a character on stage. I ensure that no part of a story still deeply affecting someone is brought to the stage,” she reveals.
Despite the heavy themes presented, humor remains a cornerstone of Zeina Daccache’s approach. “Humor has always been a vital tool in my work. Healing requires learning to smile at ourselves and laugh at life’s challenges. Without it, everything becomes too serious, leaving no room for recovery,” she concludes.
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