“It is like each book is a refugee, trying to escape, crying, “Why? Why? Why?!””
Inspired by true events, The Book of Ashes chronicles the bond between a young boy and the Iraqi librarian who saved over 30,000 books as foreign troops stormed the city of Basra in 2003. As the invasion looms, young Amir discovers age-old truths about the wages of war from his mother, an elderly neighbour, and the librarian who shows him that a country’s literature and its people are forever entwined. The Book of Ashes premiered at the International Children’s Festival in St. Albert, Alberta May 2016. The play was directed by Tracy Carroll, who laboured on this labour of love with Emil for many years. The cast featured Aiden Burke, Ntara Curry, Nimet Kanji and Michael Peng.
“Playwright Emil Sher has shaped the story with poetic language and mystical references…Director Tracy Carroll brings this stunning story to life as we see the best of humanity fight for their beliefs.”
— Anna Borowiecki, St. Albert Gazette
The Book of Ashes premiered at the 2016 The International Children’s Festival of the Arts. The play was directed by Tracy Carroll, who laboured on this labour of love with Emil for many years. The cast featured Aiden Burke, Ntara Curry, Nimet Kanji and Michael Peng with the following creative team:
Angie Sotiropoulos Costume, Set and Properties DesignerStephanie Bahniuk Lighting Designer
Dave Clarke Sound Designer
Bobby Smale Set Construction
Candice Charney Stage Manager
Rizwan Mohiuddin Cultural Consultant
Dana Rayment Sponsor, Theatre of the New Heart