"MELTING THE ICE" is the first fully formulated arab artisitic response to the recent war on Iraq.

Conceived and Directed by Sulayman Al-Bassam, The Production brings together an integration cast of leading Iraqi;Kuwaiti;British and American actors to produce waht has been called...

"AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN ARAB POLTICAL THEATRE" (Majalat Al-Funoon)

Performed in both Arabic and English, the text is a collage combining scenes from Heiner mueller's " SLAUGHTER" and a newly commisioned english script. "The Trough", by leading young british dramatist, Torben Betts. The production is designed and lit by acclaimed german designer Klaus Gruenberg.

"MELTING THE ICE" is the first of its kind in the arab world and a powerful affirmation of theatre's power to transcend political barriers.(cont'd)

"MELTING THE ICE" was produced by the Kuwait-Iraqi friendship Society, A kuwaiti N.G.O. established by Kuwaiti intellectuals during the recent conflict and dedicated to rebuilding the rich cultural and artisitic links between the two neigbouring countries.

Premeired in Kuwait on June 2nd, 2003, "MELTING THE ICE" performed to full houses at the Cairo International Festival of theatre, in Septemeber 2003, generating Powerful and Diametrically opposed responses from audiences and critics alike.