Iraqi Theater Artists Join Club Of Victims

[Robbien]

By Aws Al-Sharqy, IOL Correspondent

BAGHDAD, June 7 (IslamOnline.net) - A large number of Iraqi theater actors have lost their jobs since the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq, with theater houses demolished or looted in the chaotic country during or after the invasion.

Just like all other sectors of the Iraqi society, many actors have been forced to seek any kind of work to make ends meet, and many of them had to work as vegetable vendors, security guards or taxi drivers. Others are still unemployed with no source to eke out a day living for more than one year now, as a seething cauldron of chaos and anarchy still dominates the country.

"It is unbearable hell to live here. We had had salaries and a flourishing theater business before the U.S.-led forces occupy this oil-rich country," said famous actress Salima Khodeir.

. . .

Conceding that the former regime has censored the productions, Khodeir said the situation has rather worsened since the U.S. occupation authority took over. "We are living in apocalyptic situation, not conducive to creative work or making productions," said Jaafar Al-Saadi, another theater heartthrob.

http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2004-06/07/article08.shtml