Hourya - حورية

Hourya (Arabic: حورية – a semantic play on the Arabic words for “freedom” [حُرّيّة] and “houris” [حُورِيَة]) is a musico-theatrical play in Tunisian Arabic, written and performed by Leila Toubel and Mehdi Trabelsi. It premiered on February 25, 2017, at El Teatro in Tunis, Tunisia.

The scene is set in a radio studio targeted by a terrorist attack. The stage is minimalist, featuring a podium, an overturned chair, and a piano. Leila Toubel plays the role of a journalist who continues to narrate the tragic love story between Adam and Hourya to her listeners, interspersed with poignant and humorous digressions.

On stage beside her is a silent yet expressive pianist, whose subtle and evocative musical score supports this quest for freedom. Together, they offer a touching and lucid reflection on the human condition amidst a troubled political and social context.

Hourya-حورية is a powerful and committed work that sheds light on universal human questions as well as the profound social issues of a post-revolutionary Tunisia and the world at large. By blending emotion, laughter, and sorrow, Leila Toubel and Mehdi Trabelsi create a unique theatrical moment, where music seamlessly intertwines with a sensitive and heartrending text.