After captivating audiences during its sold-out performances last year, For a Palestinian returns for its first full-length run at Camden People’s Theatre this September before heading to Bristol Old Vic in October.
Exploring heritage, identity and the places we call home, up-and-coming talents Aaron Kilercioglu (CICADA 3301, Underbelly; Boundless Accelerator Artist) and Bilal Hasna (Extraordinary, Disney+; Screw, Channel 4) have collaborated to create this heart-warming piece based on Hasna’s own experience and the untold life of Palestinian activist Wa’el Zu’aiter.
Co-writers Aaron Kilercioglu and Bilal Hasna comment, More than any play we’ve ever worked on, For A Palestinian addresses our world today. While tackling the injustices faced by the Palestinian people, the play centres joy, humour, and perseverance. Whilst the story is specifically Palestinian, For A Palestinian speaks to the kind of feelings anyone who’s ever left their home feels: the confusion, fear, joy, and hope of living in the diaspora.
Of the production Ben Jamal, Chairman of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, comments, An astonishingly powerful play with a mesmeric performance from Bilal Hasna. He is an important young Palestinian voice who deserves a wide audience.
Through focusing on Zu’aiter’s little known story, For a Palestinian asks what it means to be a Palestinian in the diaspora, and what to do with that complex connection to Palestine in spite of geographical, cultural and emotional distance.
The play explores memory, identity, and love, whilst challenging stereotypical notions of what the life of a Palestinian can involve and centring joy, humour, perseverance and achievement in the face of constant adversity.
This thrilling production will be produced by WoLab’s Creative Director Alistair Wilkinson (ENG-ER-LAND, UK tour; RAINER, Arcola Theatre) with lighting design by Ros Chase (Dick Whittington, Phoenix Theatre; In The Heat of That Night, The Space), with further creatives to be announced. The playscript will also be published by Methuen Drama/Bloomsbury.
The production is partnering with P21 Gallery, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Na’amod and Bristol’s Palestine Museum and Cultural Centre. There will be a supporting programme including workshops, talks and events at P21 Gallery, alongside using CPT’s space to showcase artists from the Arab diaspora’s work in an exhibition form.
For a Palestinian is at Camden People’s Theatre Tuesday 13th – Saturday 16th September, Tuesday 20th – Saturday 24th September, and Tuesday 27th September – Saturday 1st October 2022 then at Bristol Old Vic Thursday 13th to Saturday 15th October 2022.
