It is rare for an independent theatre company to be able to really sweep audiences away to a strikingly complex world in their theatrical production. But Ruins أطلال  is just that. A beautifully engaging piece of theatre cleverly and masterfully told through impeccable theatrical techniques, Ruins أطلال  transports the audiences to Lebanon, making them laugh, cry and love all in a matter of 70 minutes.

Originally commissioned by Belvoir St Theatre’s 25A season in 2024, Ruins أطلال  follows the journey of Amelia Alissa (played by the captivating Randa Sayed) as she travels to her ancestral homeland in the ancient city of Baalbek, Lebanon, following the sudden death of her father, Joe (played by both Youssef Sabet and Toni Poli).

Interwoven with tales of sacrifice and migration, her voyage runs alongside her father’s return to Lebanon during the civil war in the 1980s. Through a journey across space and time, Amelia questions her history and heritage, leaving her to discover the true meaning of home.

We wanted to put the Arab voice front and centre because we’re too often marginalised and mis-represented.

Devised by Clockfire Theatre Company’s co-Artistic Director Emily Ayoub and Madeline Baghurst, Ruins أطلال has expanded into a full-scale production at the Seymour Centre following its critically acclaimed run at Belvoir.

For Ayoub, who also directed the theatrical work and previously starred as Alissa in its Belvoir production, the story runs much deeper.

“It began with a personal desire to explore my own cultural heritage,” said Ayoub.

“The first moment was in 2009 when I first visited Lebanon with my grandmother and brother… We stayed in the village that my grandfather built the house in, that he wanted everybody to return to at one point.

“I saw the ruin my father was born in, and I saw my grandfather’s grave. And these were quite profound experiences for me.

“Following that I went to the Baalbek ruins because my father always wanted me to go there and I was blown away by the scale and size and the history.”

The seed was planted for Ayoub who would then go on to graduate from the renowned Jacques Lecoq International Theatre School Paris in 2011, founding Clockfire Theatre Company in 2012.

“I was also interested in the heart as a concept,” said Ayoub.

“My grandfather had died of a heart attack suddenly when I was about 6 or 7. A couple of years ago… my father underwent triple bypass surgery, and my daughter [Olive] was the same age that I was when my grandfather passed away.

“During that very stressful period of [Ayoub’s father’s] health, I started thinking about the heart and the toll of leaving the homeland.

“So, we created this [fictional] myth about Bal and Baalbek and leaving a piece of your heart behind as a toll… that would stay with you for the rest of your life.”

The beauty of Ruins أطلال  is in its ability to transcend the barriers of place and time, transporting audiences to the lively streets of Lebanon and the astounding ruins of the temple of Baal to the alarming horror of civil war in the 1980s.

The staging is a standout as the actors move fluidly when transforming set structures with the skilful use of props and projection immersing the audiences into the ever-rich story world.

The sound (Jonny Yang), lighting (Frankie Clarke) and design (Chris Baldwin) makes one feel the emotional joys and sorrows of each and every character, also conveyed through the melodic tunes played by Gianna Cheung and Jessica Scott.

“The ensemble is bigger, the story is much bigger, it’s definitely more ambitious,” Ayoub said of this incarnation of Ruins أطلال  at the Seymour Centre.

“This time around [at the Seymour Centre], I really had a deep desire to expand the story and say something about the importance of home and the right to return home.”

Ruins أطلال  features an incredible set of actors whose exceptional physical presence and emotional connection to their roles makes them worthy of every second of the standing ovation they received at the end of the performance.

Randa Sayed artfully showcases her ability to convey both vulnerability and strength with the comedic elements of the production brought to life by Adeeb Razzouk and Piumi Wijesundara. Madeline Baghurt’s movement work is outstanding as is Tony Poli’s whose entire performance grounds the work. Youssef Sabet delivers an absolutely extraordinary performance with ease, reaching emotional depth through his compelling facial expressions and gestures.

Audiences can expect “a love letter to the Arab diaspora because that’s what this show is really”, Ayoub told Central News. “We wanted to put the Arab voice front and centre because we’re too often marginalised and mis-represented.”

“It is a political show, and I think if people want to delve a little bit further into Lebanon’s history but also see this pull for homeland and this need to understand one’s origins then they will really get something out of it.”

Performed by a talented cast and created by an equally gifted crew, Clockfire Theatre Company’s theatrical work is not just a riveting piece of physical theatre, it is the embodiment of storytelling at its finest.

Ruins is playing at the Seymour Centre until October 18th.

Tickets: https://www.seymourcentre.com/event/ruins/

Website: https://www.clockfiretheatre.com/

Main image by Geoff Magee