Al Akl Theatre Festival
The Al Akl Theatre Festival was Tom's first international collaboration with Egyptian Director and prouder Beshoy Makram. Tom and Beshoy's initial partnership was formed with both attended the Tandem Shamel programme in 2016. The programme panning 18 months invloved eight week long week-long international residencies, designed to connect European & Arab arts colleagues. The residencies took place in Lebanon in September 2015, Berlin in January 2016, Amman in September 2016, Marseille in December 2016, Berlin in March 2017 and Odessa in 2017.
From the programme Tom and Beshoy developed The Al Akl Theatre Festival. Working with emerging community artists from Belfast and Minya, Egypt. The theme of ‘Food’ was used to explore each other’s cultures.
Supported by Tandem Shaml and Terra Nova Productions, Tom and Beshoy made four visits to each other's cities, engaging local artists in both places to create live and filmed work. Two young professional artists from Belfast and Minya were also mentored by Tom and Beshoy to create their own food-themed play.
The pilot culmulated in a two day theatre and film festival in El Minya in July 2017. The Project worked 102 emerging artists, 4 profession artists, creating 40 live and film performances.
