Special Plug-In: Uprooted

Next month, Arts Bar Studio Three will debut a compelling new show titled "Uprooted," written by İbrahim Arıcı and Basma Seiba, and directed and performed by Ali Bal.

"Uprooted" tells the story of Ibrahim and his family as they flee war-torn Syria, seeking refuge first in Lebanon, then Egypt, before finally finding a new home in Turkey. It's a tale of survival, highlighting the strength of familial bonds amidst the chaos of displacement. The play explores themes of loss, longing, and the unyielding hope that sustains them through adversity. Yet, it's ultimately a story of resilience, portraying the human capacity to adapt, endure, and love, even in the face of unimaginable hardship. "Uprooted" is a poignant reminder of the universal quest for home and the enduring power of family to overcome the greatest challenges.

The Creative Wire had the privilege of interviewing Ali, providing valuable insight into "Uprooted" and shedding light on the production's inspiration. Ali Bal, aged 32, is a graduate of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University's Theater Department, class of 2017. Having lived in the UK for five years, he balances his career as both an actor and an acting teacher in Turkey and the UK.

The inspiration for "Uprooted" came from a friend of Ali's, Ibrahim, who co-wrote the play with Basma. They performed the show in Istanbul. Ali explained that after watching the performance, he was deeply impressed by the story, finding it to be exactly the kind of narrative he had been seeking for years and felt compelled to share with others.

The title "Uprooted" suggests a sense of displacement and loss. When asked how the characters in the play grapple with the idea of home and belonging as they navigate their new lives in unfamiliar territories within the story, Ali said, "In fact, this is a challenging situation that any person living in another country would likely experience. I have been living in England for 5 years, and living in another country (of course, where you live is very important) evokes some common feelings."

Ali also shared his own experiences, saying, "Learning another language and adapting to another culture is not as easy as it seems."

Regarding the challenges he faced in putting on "Uprooted," Ali explained, "I had always wondered what it would be like to act in a second language, but experiencing it was a completely different situation for me. I cannot say that it is very easy, as I am responsible for all the processes of advertising, hiring spaces, and being the director of the play, but I find it very enjoyable nonetheless."

He went on to discuss certain relationships within the play, especially Ibrahim's longing for his father, saying, "People's roots are their family and the land they live in. Of course, this uprooting affects Ibrahim a lot because one of his roots is his father. But on the other hand, he has to continue living with his family. Actually, this is what uprooted means. Ibrahim is trying to hold on to life like a tree that has been torn from its roots but is still trying to grow."

He added, what I want people to experience is that war has no identity. Tomorrow, we too may become victims of war and find ourselves in a completely different country. This story could also have been the story of a Ukrainian person. That's why pain, war, uprooting can have no identity or place. It can happen anywhere, anytime.

Ali Bal's personal insights into the production give us a glimpse into the dedication and passion behind bringing this story to life. As "Uprooted" hits the stage at Arts Bar Studio Three next month, audiences will experience reflection, strength of hope, love, and family. We wish the Ali the best of luck and me personally can’t wait to see uprooted. You can purchase tickets below.