Drama from Syria telling stories of contemporary life in Damascus.

“The war is over!” declares Arshy, the proprietor of a traditional restaurant in Hay El Matar. Has she lost her senses or does she know something that we don’t? In such extreme times, everyone must find their own way to cope. So in the midst of it all, while everything is changing around her, she is fighting to keep hold of the Damascus that she loves. But is it a fight she can win?

Stories From Hay El Matar is a uniquely authentic drama series that takes place in a fictional suburb of Damascus. It is made by a team of Syrian and Lebanese artists working with British director Boz Temple-Morris, and is recorded in Beirut, Lebanon.

Each story in the series takes place at the same point in time, exploring a different part of the community. They are adapted from the Arabic language radio drama, Hay El Matar, produced by BBC Media Action, which provides a balanced and authentic depiction of everyday events for people inside Syria. It ran for one season of 150 episodes between 2016 and 2017and aimed to humanise opposing groups by countering stereotypes and providing balanced and authentic depictions of the various groups and situations across Syrian society. It included detailed consideration of issues such as early marriage and radicalisation as well as many issues around day to day living.

Stories from Hay El Matar is written in Arabic by Syrian writer Hozan Akko, and adapted into English by actor and dramatist Raffi Feghali. It offers a rare glimpse of how normal life is lived in Syria through these extraordinary times and features a cast of actors from Syria and Lebanon, many of whom are themselves living through the kinds of events depicted in the drama.

Cast:
Arshi Najwa Kondakji
Kevork Raffi Feghali
Abou Jameel Marcel Bou Chakra
Assaf Oussama el Ali
Rabab Nowar Yousef
Shukri Abdelrahim Alawji
Amer Adeeb Razzouk
Jack Alhasan Yousseff
Rashed Hashem Kabrit
Karakas Zeinab Assaf
Ghali Hussam Sharwany

Studio recording Karim Beidoun, Guerilla Studios
Spot effects Layal Salman
Sound editing Alisdair McGregor
Music Ziad Ahmadiye
Adaptation Raffi Feghali
Writer Hozan Akko
Producer and Director Boz Temple-Morris

A Holy Mountain production for BBC Radio 4 Show less