58th Edition of the Carthage International Festival

Big Bossa by Wajiha Jendoubi
Playful, Cheerful, and... Critical


On Wednesday, July 31, as part of the 58th edition of the Carthage Festival, Wajiha Jendoubi's "Big Bossa" made its stop at the Roman Theatre, where a large, seemingly complicit audience awaited, ready to engage with laughter and good humor.

Wajiha Jendoubi is on a farewell tour, and her show "Big Bossa" has been a hit, traveling from city to village with unwavering triumphs. The public keeps demanding more, with requests coming from all over, both domestically and internationally. "I couldn't refuse," she declared on the airwaves. That Wednesday night, thousands of fans were in a festive spirit, eagerly awaiting the new version of "Big Bossa."

At 10 PM, Wajiha, dressed in a black dress with blonde hair, took the stage. Her clear voice carried far, eliciting laughter as she described and portrayed herself as an ordinary woman with no particular qualities, chatting on the phone with an ex-lover. She recounted her daily life post-revolution, kicking off the show at full speed.

The plot? Madame Jalila is an ordinary woman working in a public organization, indifferent to politics. One late evening, a text message informs her that she has been appointed minister. Her dreams, hopes, and musings go haywire. We encounter a carefully selected sample of a little world that resembles ours, so ordinary... Wajiha, projected into a frenzied rhythm, armed with an audible and changing voice, precise gestures, and subtle movements, effortlessly induces uncontrollable laughter. She takes on the roles of a dozen real or imagined characters, each more eccentric than the last. We meet her husband "Abdejellil," a hairdresser, neighborhood ambiance, scenes from hammams and bathrooms, weddings, and funeral processions where characters of different social standings mix. It's evident that Wajiha has closely observed her compatriots, studied their behaviors and attitudes, and meticulously crafted her roles. Monologues, dreaminess, and engagement enrich the scenes.

Over the years, Wajiha has infused her talent into her one-woman show "Big Bossa." Through this play, she has unerringly highlighted the dynamics of contemporary Tunisian society, a universe marked by the emotions, dreams, fears, and hopes of an ordinary woman. With her incisive critiques, she subtly exposes the flaws of her character.