Ammon News - AMMAN - Poverty, corruption, unpopular economic policies and the dormant peace process are among the themes tackled in Amal Dabbas' latest satirical play "High Pressure”.

During its Amman premiere on Tuesday, Dabbas and her colleagues touched on some of the more sensitive issues affecting Jordanians, including the impact of a recent government decision to raise taxes on fuel as part of a national programme for financial, economic and social reforms.

The one-hour took the audience on a satirical journey through issues of concern to citizens, mainly the government's economic package as well as spending habits of government officials.

"We are reflecting the pulse of the street. We, as actors, are also ordinary Jordanian citizens who suffer like others. This is the venue where we can express ourselves freely," Dabbas told The Jordan Times after the show.

The play also touched on regional and international issues, such as the global economic downturn, the troubled peace process and the strained ties between Israel and Turkey.

Dabbas said she was glad to be able to express herself freely in Jordan, admitting that her job would be much more difficult in other countries in the region.

"Thank God we have a high ceiling of freedom of expression in Jordan," she stressed, noting that satire is a form of constructive criticism of social and political issues.

"We do not criticise for the sake of criticising. Nothing is personal and criticism does not mean hatred towards the government," she added.

The government was at the receiving end of several jokes, particularly regarding the impact of recent economic policies on ordinary citizens.

Theatrical performances pick up in Jordan during the holy month of Ramadan, but “High Pressure” actors said plays should be performed year-round.

"In Ramadan, actors find it an occasion to express what they feel throughout the year. We are planning to hold more shows during the year, but the economic situation is not helping," said playwright and actor Tamer Bashtwo.

Dabbas originally came to fame in a series of dramatic works presented with well-known actors Nabil Sawalha and Hisham Yanis, who staged hilarious yet daring plays about social and political issues in Jordan and the Middle East during the 1990s.


* By Mohammad Ben Hussein/ Jordan Times

** Amal Dabbas performs in the play ‘High Pressure’ in Amman on Tuesday (Petra photo)