Sum Theatre's folk tale brings beauty of Syria to Saskatoon

The ugly truth of Syria's civil war makes news daily, but Saskatoon's Sum Theatre will bring the beauty of Syrian culture to its annual free summer series in the park.

I hope they walk away with warm hearts.- Heather Morrison

"It is Syrian beauty with Canadian eyes and Canadian voice," said Rana Mustafa in an interview with CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning.

Mustafa is new to Saskatoon, arriving from Syria a year ago.

She will perform with Sum Theatre in its presentation of the Syrian folk tale The Woodcutter and the Lion.

"I was so happy to participate because ever since I came I tried every time to be more involved in the community and to show some beautiful part of our Syrian culture," she said.

"I think one of the things that what we like to do is give people an access point into a culture that they might not know much about," said Sum Theatre's Heather Morrison, an assistant director for the show.

Morrison said this is a way for people in Saskatoon to gather with the Syrian community to see something other than what they are watching on the news.

The production includes songs that Mustafa selected, and then has taken the time to teach the Canadian members of the cast.  

Morrison thinks that as the production tours through parks in Saskatoon over the summer it will reach about 7,000 people.

"I hope they walk away with warm hearts and feeling more connected."