David Greig’s Damascus Transfers to Tricycle, 9 Feb

In Damascus – the oldest continuously inhabited city on earth – Paul sells English-language textbooks. It is Valentine’s Day and he would rather be at home with his wife. As he begins negotiations with his Syrian contact, misunderstandings multiply until their presumptions about one another fall away and new possibilities emerge. And as his flight home is delayed by a bomb in Beirut Airport, he begins to question whether he will ever leave.

The production, directed by long-time Greig collaborator Phillip Howard, features the original Traverse cast – Nathalie Armin, Alex Elliott, Dolya Gavanski, Paul Higgins and Khalid Laith. Higgins, who plays Paul, has previously worked with companies including the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company and Donmar Warehouse. Dolya Gavanski’s credits include recent London hit Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Nathalie Armin has previously been seen in the RSC’s Othello.

Following its run at the Tricycle, Damascus will tour to North Africa and the Near East. Currently at the Tricycle, Sean Holmes‘ revival of Joe Orton’s Loot finishes on 31 January.  Damascus is produced at the Tricycle by MJE Productions.

– By Theo Bosanquet