Secret Box Theatre was founded in May 2026 to stage Revolution by Joud Al Sulaiman in the Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival. The Secret Box Theatre is four theatre artists from Syria and Ireland who have come together to bring this story to an Irish audience for the first time.
Revolution by Joud Al Sulaiman is based on true events experienced by the Syrian people during the rule of Hafez Al Assad and his son, Bashar al-Assad.
It tells the story of Karim and Israa, a young married couple from Homs who are displaced to Damascus after their home is destroyed.
Karim and Israa live in constant fear: of the regime’s intelligence branch, the prospect of being flung into jail as political prisoners, and of the revolution and consequent civil war coming to their door.
The play depicts how many Syrian people balance their public lives and home lives, forced to support the government outside the home whilst privately opposing the regime and living in deep fear of their political views being discovered.
The story is told in a satirical and comedic style. A dark farce, the play is both funny and tragic. The text is written by Joud Al Sulaiman, who also directs the show and features as Karim. Revolution was produced in Beirut in 2025, and this Irish premiere is its first international outing.
Revolution runs in the Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival from August 4th-6th at 5 pm daily, and audiences are invited to arrive at between 4 pm and 5 pm to enjoy some traditional Syrian desserts and coffee. The show is in the Abbeyfield ROC and this is the first such public production to take place in the centre.
