The Drama of Survival: Staging Post-traumatic Memory in Plays by Lebanese-Québécois Dramatists

Abstract

Quebec theatre has frequently been a site for dramatizing trauma–whether we mean the collective historical trauma of the Conquest or the more personal traumas related to dysfunctional families or violent acts. In a group of recent plays by Lebanese immigrant playwrights we see a different kind of trauma being staged–the overwhelming historical trauma of the Lebanese civil war as performed in plays by Abla Farhoud, Bernard Antoun, and Wajdi Mouawad. This different kind of "théâtre engagé" bears witness to the national tragedy of Lebanon, works through the trauma it caused, and offers hope to the survivors. Instead of inspiring dread, fear, horror, and pity leading to catharsis, these plays re-enact violence, memorialize the victims, and perform mourning work in order to renew our shattered faith in humanity.