FATEMA Elyas, the head of the ladies' section at Jeddah Literary Club and Literature Professor at King Abdul Aziz University conducted a workshop titled “Writing and Radio Drama” as well as an open lecture on writing drama for radio on Thursday at the British Council, Jeddah. Elyas shared her experience of attending a three-day workshop: “Writing for Radio” in Qatar last year, which also resulted in the production of a play called “The Waves”, broadcast by the BBC on March 21, and written by seven regional writers, including three from Saudi Arabia. It was the first BBC play to be commissioned from writers in the Gulf and ran for three days. There were structured talks, listening sessions, one-on-one tutorials and regular feedback. “The workshop was led by the award winning British writer Nick Warburtion and Marion Nancarrow, executive producer for Drama and Radio Drama at the BBC World Service,” explained Elyas. “This first ‘new Arab voice' workshop aimed to promote the art of writing for radio and focused on why radio can be the most accessible and powerful way of telling one's story, along with all the elements of drama writing from characters to scenes and sound to structure.” She also explained techniques and guidelines to drama writing, with particular emphasis on sound effects and innovative ideas, and added that the aim of the workshop was to learn more about creative writing and radio drama, and to inspire future drama writers. “Drama is a form of expression and showing human actions, as the brief definition of drama is the imitation of man in action,” she remarked. “Drama writing is an art where there are six elements of drama writing: the plot, theme, characters, dialogue, sound and climax.” Elyas spoke at length about why radio still plays an important role in the 21st century, and emphasized the benefits of listening to the radio. She argued that the radio was still as indispensable as before as it enhanced the imagination of listeners, is a mobile device and allows for multi-tasking. She added that “we concentrate when we use our ears and therefore develop sharp listening skills.” According to her, drama writing for the radio, in particular, requires serious dedication as performers do not have the liberty to attract the audience's attention with a physical presence. For radio plays, the drama needs to be simple, intimate and be able to connect with the audience. In many ways, she asserted, drama writing is like poetry. “Every radio drama starts with silence or music or laughter as sound effects; there needs to be a connection between the writers and actors,” she said. “Al Amwaj” or “The Waves” is narrated through the experiences of a taxi driver: Noor Alam, and follows the journeys of six of his passengers to an unspecified coastal town. Whether they speak to Noor or not - choosing to avoid his questions - it becomes apparent to him that their lives are connected. With each ‘wave that breaks', therefore, there is another story to tell. The play was written by Abdullah Ahmed Bukamal, Hissa Faraj Al-Marri, Masoud Abdul Hadi and May Touma from Qatar; with Ali Al-Majnooni, Fatima Elias Al Gassim and Tahani Al-Ghureiby from Saudi Arabia. Sagar Arya plays the role of Noor Alam, and is joined by actors Nadim Sawalha, Sirine Saba, Zolfa Zahedi, Paul Chahidi, William El–Gardi, and Nathalie Armin. Zamani Sara, the assistant director for arts and science projects at the British council was present at the workshop and full of praise for Fatema Elyas. “This was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about radio drama and creative writing,” she remarked. “We hope to develop more such projects in Saudi Arabia; an upcoming project starting after Ramadan, will be a regional photography exhibition called ‘My Father's House'.”
