• Review For Us
    • In London or across the UK
    • at Edinburgh Fringe
  • List Your Show
  • Advertising
  • Musicals
  • Plays
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Previews
  • First Look
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
    • Edinburgh Fringe Interviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
    • Edinburgh Fringe Interviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Lines to Play at the Stephen Joseph Theatre before it heads to New York

by Staff Writer
March 6, 2024
Reading Time: 3 mins read
Lines credit Smart Banda

Lines credit Smart Banda

A compelling new drama exploring the interwoven lives of strangers around the world is coming to Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre before its New York debut.  Lines, recommended as one of the ‘Best Theatre Tickets To Book’ for 2024 by The Guardian, is at the SJT on Saturday 23 March.

Set in five prisons in Uganda, Palestine and Britain, it follows the parallel, post-colonial lives of ten seemingly disconnected prisoners over five decades.

They include Arwa, a queer teacher in Kampala imprisoned for her sexuality, and Waswa, who is a student in Tel Aviv when he meets an activist, ending up behind bars.

       

All ten of the characters are played by actors/writers John Rwothomack, born in Uganda, and Palestinian Fidaa Zidan.

John said: “We’re bringing two countries, Uganda and Palestine, which you wouldn’t think have many connections, together to realise they have so much in common.

You mightalso like

Some of the cast of Noises Off images supplied by publicist

Noises Off Cast Announced for First Ever In-the-Round Production at Stephen Joseph Theatre

Imaginary Friends image supplied by publicist

Daniel Bye’s Imaginary Friends Coming to the Stephen Joseph Theatre

“One of the biggest questions we had was if you took Britain out of the timeline of these two countries, what would they look like?

“I think that can only be explored through theatre.”

The show starts in Palestine in the 1970s, after the Entebbe raid rescue of a hijacked jet, and finishes there in 2019.

It explores questions such as the meaning of land, the human need to belong, injustice and racism.

       

The show’s origins were also a case of life imitating art.

It has been developed mainly online over four years across three continents, after a chance meeting between John, Fidaa and US producer Alex Aron.

John added: “It’s all about exploring connections with other people, about how if people talk to a stranger they will find things in common.

“If we could do that and understand each other more, there might be a bit more compassion in the world.

“There are some fun moments but ultimately we hope people will see something of themselves in the show, and ask what they would do in those same situations.”

Lines has been created by Roots Mbili Theatre, founded by John and also behind the acclaimed show Far Gone and work-in-progress Never Look Back.

It is a co-production with the American Remote Theatre Project and Sheffield Theatres, with creative input from Lebanese Junaid Sarieddeen and additional writing by Ugandan Asiimwe Deborah Kawe.

Lines launched in Sheffield in February and is also touring Lancaster, Derby and Harrogate before heading to New York’s La Mama Theatre in May.

Lines can be seen at the SJT on Saturday 23 March. Tickets are available from the box office on 01723 370541 and online at www.sjt.uk.com
Staff Writer

Staff Writer

At Theatre Weekly we are dedicated to giving theatre a new audience. Our News, Reviews and Interviews are all written with the audience in mind, helping you decide what to see next. And when you have decided, our great ticket deals will help save you money too.

Related Articles

Some of the cast of Noises Off images supplied by publicist
News

Noises Off Cast Announced for First Ever In-the-Round Production at Stephen Joseph Theatre

Imaginary Friends image supplied by publicist
News

Daniel Bye’s Imaginary Friends Coming to the Stephen Joseph Theatre

Do I Love You 1 © Ian Hodgson
News

John Godber’s Do I Love You? Returns to the Stephen Joseph Theatre

Kat Rose Martin pic by Brandon Bishop
News

Kat Rose-Martin Joins Stephen Joseph Theatre on 18-Month Attachment

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Twitter Facebook Youtube Instagram

At Theatre Weekly we give theatre a new audience. You'll find our theatre news, theatre reviews and theatre interviews are written from an audience point of view. Our great value London theatre tickets will get you the best deal for your theatre tickets.
Theatre Weekly, 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
  • Join Our Community
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising

Recent News

Burlesque in Rehearsal credit Maja Smiejkowska

Rehearsal Photos Released for Burlesque the Musical Ahead of West End Debut at the Savoy Theatre

The Seal Woman Image supplied by publicist

The Seal-Woman and Actéon Bring Operatic Magic Back to Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Explorers Garden

© 2022 Theatre Weekly

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tickets
  • Digital Theatre
  • News
    • News
    • West End
    • Off West End
    • Regional & Tours
    • Digital
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
    • Edinburgh Fringe Interviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer

© 2022 Theatre Weekly