Adventures of Ali & Ali and the Axes of Evil: A Divertimento for Warlords

by Marcus Youssef, Camyar Chai, Guillermo Verdecchia, et al.

In this elaborate agitprop theatrical collaboration, the internal contradictions and duplicitous double-speak of the "war on terror" are exposed as the propaganda vehicles for the neo-colonialism of the West that they are. "Ali Hakim" and "Ali Ababwa," refugees from the imaginary country "Agraba," attempt to seduce their audience into providing them with food, refuge, security, freedom and the material benefits of Western consumer society, failing...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0889225168
• ISBN13: 9780889225169
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: Talonbooks
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.3" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

interesting, darkly humorous take on Western-Islam relations

I really enjoyed this play, which reads quickly, keeps things moving, and is very funny as well as very provocative. It has a wizened, absurd sensibility. Some of the dialogue is trying to intentionally be funny and fails, or comes across as silly/stupid; the writing is at its best when it doesn't try to be funny. For a mostly bare stage and just a few actors, this play has a wealth of ideas, commentary, and memorable scenes. I think the world would be a better, more informed place if this play was performed all over. It doesn't take itself seriously (while dealing with serious issues), believes that nothing is sacred, but the humor and jabs are respectful and intelligent. Having been produced in Canada, there are some local/cultural refrences that detract from the play's universal appeal, but this is a minor complaint. An enjoyable, light yet heavy, read. Made me appreciate the theater all over again after becoming pretty jaded with it.