The Booty ~ El Butin by Hamida Ait El Hadj & Farid Benour English Translation and adaption by Djameal Eddine Kechacha & Michael Branwell Produced and directed for HITE by Michael Branwell
Pictures by John Sothcott of Harlow - (+044) 01279 431588	Toured in July / August Harlow, UK and New South Wales / ACT All images on this page © HITE / John Sothcott 1999
Ghanima stands up for her rights - sitting down.
		Ghanima and Khedouma. A picture worth a thousand words.
			Khedouma and Sonia. Self explanatory.
This is a powerful new play which is ostensibly about an elective mute - Ghanima, who has been violently abused in a gang-rape by either rebels or government forces. Her relationships with Khedouma, her mother and Sonia, a family friend are examined. Meanwhile, the world hums on in the background - officious clerks and government spokesmen irritate, bombs explode (there being a bit of civil unrest in the State where the play is set) and water supplies are erratic. All invite comment from the ladies. Then an electioneer calls in person ......			Critique © William Suggers 1999 - this narrative reflects my own views and in no way attempts to convey the opinion of the authors or translators .

 On the other hand, The Booty is about rather more than the discomforts of Muslim womanhood in an un-enlightened country at the end of this century. The issues it raises are issues for us all - do we have rights? Or are States entitled to toy with their citizens as the whim takes them? Can you actually legislate to tell anyone how they must think? What good would it do if you did? If you kill a given number of people why do their beliefs often refuse to die too?

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Webmasters note:

Hamida disappeared a few years ago - I have not found anyone who knows her fate. This page remains on the Beerfordbury site as tribute to a brave lady (and a very nice person) - and as a reminder that artistic freedoms cost more than money.