Royal Court Theatre and piece by piece productions present

A Knock on the Roof

By Khawla Ibraheem. Directed and Developed by Oliver Butler

A Knock on the Roof Top / Details / The Company
Fri 21 Feb - Sat 08 Mar 2025

‘The readier you are, the better chance of survival you have’ 

Pack Bag. Set timer. Run. Repeat.

Mariam knows the army often drops small warning bombs – a knock on the roof – giving tenants in Gaza 5-15 minutes to evacuate before their home is destroyed.  

With dry wit and determination, Mariam meticulously rehearses for the run of her life, deliberating what – and who- she can take with her.

Written by and starring Khawla Ibraheem, this unforgettable new play about obsession, survival and everyday life in Gaza is directed and developed by Obie Award winner Oliver Butler (What the Constitution Means to Me), coming to the Royal Court direct from an Off-Broadway run at New York Theatre Workshop.

The Royal Court is grateful to Y.A.C.K F.O for supporting this production.

Post-show Talk Tues 4 Mar

A conversation with writer Khawla Ibraheem. This event is free with a ticket to that evening’s performance.

★ ★ ★ ★

'Absolutely essential viewing'

The Guardian Read full review

★ ★ ★ ★

'A poignant, pertinent portrayal of life in Gaza'

The Independent Read full review

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

'Ibraheem’s performance is equally remarkable as her writing'

Broadway World Read full review

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

'Not merely a piece of theatre, a story like this one truly makes you think'

Corr Blimey

★ ★ ★ ★

'Stunning, funny and heartbreaking solo performance'

The Scotsman

★ ★ ★ ★

'Gently compelling'

The Stage

★ ★ ★ ★

'Devastating and essential'

Fest Mag

★ ★ ★ ★

'Exceptional'

WhatsOnStage

★ ★ ★ ★

Oliver Butler‘s direction is pitch perfect'

The Wee Review

★ ★ ★ ★

'Excellently paced'

All Edinburgh Theatre

★ ★ ★ ★

'A timely eye-opener'

Bouquets & Brickbats

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Jerwood Theatre Downstairs

Monday – Friday: 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Saturdays: 1.30pm and 6.30pm

Running time: 75 minutes, with no interval

Age recommendation: 12+

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Captioned: Fri 7 Mar, 7.30pm

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For a document version of these notes, click here.

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General ticket information

All tickets booked through the Royal Court website include a mandatory £1.50 restoration levy which is included within the overall price of your ticket. The restoration levy is paid directly to the theatre in order to cover the costs of essential maintenance and building upkeep.

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